An evening with a very old man...

I just got home from a black-tie gala honoring the Foundation of MSU...i.e. paying tribute to all the rich people who donate to the University.  It was an extremely impressive affair, I must admit.  The University made over $12 million from personal donations this year and I was seated among the people who, even in this economy, could afford to give so generously.  

Why was I there?  By being the Andreas Graduate this year, a few perks have appeared.  Dr. Hustoles informed me that there was an empty seat at the Andreas table and that I would come to fill it, to represent all of us Andreas scholars (there are 5 in throughout the college and by the way, the tickets to this thing were $90 each).  What he didn't tell me, was that I was to serve as Mr. Andreas' date, the 86 year old billionaire who gave $7 million last year alone...and has a private jet.  After having lunch with the man last week among my fellow Andreas Graduates and not being able to fill the conversation, I called my brother in for ideas on how to steer the conversation.  Mr. Andreas is a man who deeply misses his wife of 64 years (she passed last year) and it is very clear that she was the talker of the two.  

So tonight, I followed my brother's advice, leading the conversation to business and WWII.   (Chris said that all men over the age of 70 have a lot to say about it.  He was right.)  I escorted him everywhere, sat next to him at dinner, carried his awards to his car for him, and the whole time, we had easy, delightful conversation.  It was lovely.

It lead me to a discovery though.  This was the first time I had talked to an older gentlemen since my grandpas died a few years ago.  Listening to Mr. Andreas tell war stories filled me with such a longing for Grandpa Bob that I almost teared up.  When he started quizzing me about my life story, I immediately heard Grandpa Earl in my head saying, "If you don't ask, you don't know naw-ting."  And while is was fun to spend an evening with a millionaire, it was even better to feel like my grandpas were around again.  

I had no idea I missed them so much...