Another tribute to Opa

OPA

O•PA  (MASC.) –S, –S

GERMAN: GRANDPA, GRANDAD (INFORMAL)

GREEK: AN EXCLAMATION, DECLARATION, OR AFFIRMATION OF LIFE; A PRONOUNCEMENT OF CELEBRATION; THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE ITSELF.

“OPA” IS ANOTHER WAY OF EXPRESSING JOY TO AND GRATITUDE FOR GOD, LIFE, HEALTH, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS; FOR BRINGING US INTO THE STATE OF ULTIMATE WISDOM. IT IS A HUMOROUS AFFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE AT YOUR BEST; THAT YOU ARE WHERE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE; AND THAT YOU NEED TO STOP AND CELEBRATE.

TO EXCLAIM “OPA!” IS TO SAY I AM FILLED WITH HOPE AND CONFIDENCE THAT LIFE ABOUNDS WITH ALL THAT I NEED!



Cooking yet another paella



Oma and Colin the Younger

We just returned from a wonderful visit to Concord, MA to honor Nat's beloved father. Although the occasion was very sad, we had some wonderful cousin time, enjoyed their beautiful historic home and surrounds and spent time catching up with relatives and friends we don't get to see too often. As the Old North Bridge is right across the street, we also got in a litle bit of American history. 

Boys with Thoreau statue
at Walden Pond





Cousins: Schuyler (13), Colin (9),
Lava (11) & Clark (11)

We also got some down time to swim at Walden Pond, my sister-in-law and running buddy, Sarah and I, took some lovely runs thru the nearby countryside of Estabrook Woods and Great Meadows and the Brace siblings cooked up a storm (a new paella pan was even purchased at the local kitchen shop).  



Joyriding in Opa's tractor

Clark dumping grass clippings
in Oma's enormous compost pile

Uncle Stokley's famous pie

When you visit Oma, the first thing you do is "the Gulag" or chores she has set aside for your visit. The boys had great fun driving Opa's ride-on lawnmower and spent hours getting the yard spruced up.

LIFE LESSONS FROM OPA LECCIONES DE LA VIDA DE OPA

Enjoy life! Make every moment count. Disfruta la vida! Hacer que cada momento cuente.
Opa knew how to make the best of his time on this planet. Whatever he was doing, he did it with his full attention and focus. Whether studying rocks, hiking in nature, building furniture, spending time with his grandchildren or enjoying a delicious meal, he savored every moment.

Take care of your body. Cuida tu cuerpo.
It’s the only one you have and hopefully it will last you a long time. Opa had a lifelong enjoyment of physical exercise and kept his body in excellent physical shape. Besides exercising outdoors, he went to the gym regularly and worked out with a personal trainer. He enjoyed good food but knew how to balance it out with exercise and proper sleep.

Don’t judge others. No juzgues a los demás. Acepta a los demás como son.
Accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be. Everyone has their own unique gifts and strengths and Opa always focused on the positive.

Enjoy nature. Disfruta la naturaleza.
Opa enjoyed being outside in whatever capacity he could – whether walking, hiking, cycling, rowing, running or skiing.

Don’t worry about what other people think. No te preocupes por lo que piensa la gente.Opa never wasted time worrying about what other people thought, he merely followed his own passions and pursuits.

Be open to new experiences.
Tienes que estar abierto a nuevas experiencias.
Opa didn’t start running until his 40’s and soon became a marathon and ultra-marathon runner. He started building furniture after he retired from MIT in his mid-60’s. He was always open to trying new things, be it food, wine or travel.

Take the time to slow down and smell the roses. Tómate tu tiempo para oler las rosas.
Opa always took the time to notice the plants, trees and flowers that surrounded him.

Give of yourself to others. Ayuda a los demás.Opa assisted others by helping them train for a marathon, mentoring them at work or in his shop, and was always willing to offer a helping hand.