Fulfilling My Grandfather’s Legacy

Two weeks ago I made a phone call to my grandfather Leo Rost.  I made it not knowing if he would answer, he is 94 after all, because I wanted to let him know I was starting a new journey.

He answered on the third ring–absolutely remarkable for a man who not only can’t see but also can’t hear.  When we spoke it was brief -but I know I was able to communicate the message I was trying to portray to him.  The call ended with me speaking about visiting him soon–within the next two weekends.  Thats where I started planning this weekend to return to my roots in Iowa.

It all started with me visiting my grandfather.  I had planned a visit for this weekend prior to him taking a hard fall resulting in him needing surgery on his leg.  I didn’t know my visit to see him would be in the hospital that Friday.  I visited him again on Sunday to transport him to his assisted living home.  It was really nice to be able to converse and pray with him.

You see my grandfather was an entrepreneur.  He grew up as one, and continued to be one throughout his life.  He opened stores for whatever it was he saw there was a need for in the small town he located himself in.  He’s told me stories of selling anything from wooden shoes and chocolate to the day he was asked by Ford Motor Company to open his own shop to sell their vehicles.  That Ford dealership still stands family-operated today.

The reason I’m telling you all this is because I very much look up to my grandfather as my idol.  He is the most successful businessman in my family.  He went out and took risks to open new businesses in order to satisfy the needs of others.  He worked endlessly throughout his life to make others happy.  He never cared about money, he was just doing what he was called to do.  Courage.  It takes courage to go out and do something no one has ever thought to do before—courage to find innovative ways to make others happy and decide thats what you’re going to do for a living.  This is what I’m doing now.  I want you to understand how much having that influence within my own family means to me.  It gives me confidence and encouragement to know I have a family legacy to uphold.

I want to thank every one of you who has encouraged me throughout this journey.  You are the friends and family I carry close to my heart.

I won’t let you down Grandpa.

God bless,

Heath