As we prepare for a holiday that is set aside to give thanks for who and what we have in our lives, I want to share a story with you of an amazing man I met years ago, who inspired me to look at gratitude in a new way. His favorite expression was “I’m so lucky.” Even when things got tough, he always found something to be grateful for.
At 95 years old, Gordon Mickelson was the oldest fan of Love Is the New Currency. He told his daughter, who had given him a copy, “I would love to meet the author.” Little did I know what a gift was in store for me.
Since Gordon was receiving hospice care, I decided not to waste a precious moment to visit. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I entered the retirement community. There was a sign on his door, “I’m hard of hearing. Don’t knock, just come in.” And that’s how I met Gordon, a man who was engaging, happy, interested, and a total delight to be with.
“I’m so lucky,” Gordon said as he related stories of his life. “I was a farm boy and was lucky to be raised so close to the earth and nature. I grew up with a group of cousins. We were luckybecause we all loved each other.”
Gordon had enjoyed a life of adventure, traveling to some 86 different countries. When I asked him, “What was a key moment in your life?” he told me how privileged he was to be in the service, and to be sent on a secret mission to the Yalta Conference. He found himself in the presence of historical figures: President Franklin Roosevelt, whom he greatly admired, as well as Hitler, Stalin, and Churchill. “I was lucky to have the right job at the right time.”
Gordon shared how grateful he was to have had a wife, whom he dearly loved, and a wonderful family. “I’m so lucky. I’m even a great-grandfather now!”
Lying in a hospital bed, with only water to sip on, he expressed that he didn’t want to be kept alive artificially, “I wouldn’t do anything to shorten or prolong my life. When my body is ready to go, it’ll be time.”
And yet, he lit up when he talked about the beautiful flowers that his daughter had planted outside of his patio window and the bird feeder that attracted so many birds (although he couldn’t see them from where he lay). He smiled. In fact, he smiled almost the entire time that I was with him.
“Gordon, it sounds like you’ve had a happy life. What do you attribute that to?” I asked. His face changed and he answered slowly. “It hasn’t always been happy. There were difficult times too. My wife had a hard time … and she took her own life.” His eyes teared as he shared how much he missed her.
But moments later, he went on to tell me how much he loved his family, how lucky he was to be getting the care that he was, and what a good life he’s had. He added, “I think that the key to having a happy life is being grateful.”
I tried counting, but lost track. I had just heard the words, “I’m so lucky” said more times in a half hour than I typically hear in years.
Gordon expressed how much he enjoyed reading Love Is the New Currency. He was convinced that it’s an important message to get out in the world, and told me, “I’m proud of what you’re doing and I would like to help you if there is anything that I can do.” I signed his book for him: “Gordon, I’m honored to know you.” Again, he smiled and thanked me.
When I asked if I could come back to visit next week, he said, “Don’t even ask!” And I walked away feeling, “I’m so lucky.”
And I was lucky on two more occasions to visit with Gordon before he passed, and fortunate to be at his “celebration of life” with about 60 of his friends and family. I shared my story about Gordon and ended by inviting everyone to send him off with a cheer of: “I’m So Lucky” three times.
Gordon’s legacy continues in the hearts of all who knew him. In his honor, I spent time with students at a local elementary school, talking about the many reasons why they were grateful and creating a booklet with their drawings. We called it “I’m So Lucky”.
And though life has been challenging this past year, maybe we can all come up with things that we are grateful for. For me, you are one of them. I am so lucky to be able to share my thoughts and writing with you.
Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful time of Thanks-giving.
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