Man-up, Lady-up

Just words.

                           Man-up, Lady-up

My daddy told me often. Man-up Johnnie, Life is hard and you must be harder. Life will toss you s**t, you must turn the s**t in self-motivation and hard-drive to better life. Don't lay down and die, get-up, show them. Can't beat you down.

I went to him with a somber face once. I told him, I lost my true love. He laughed at me and he told me. Man-up Johnnie, love can be nasty, women are crazy and men are foolish. Easy fix son, only way to repair a broken heart. Find a better woman.

My father told me. Don't wince and cry because you are Ojibwa and Mexican. Education, education and more education. Never allow anyone  to look down at you. When I was in school, he told me often. Good grades or I will whip your a*s. Old type children raising. Good grade and education I did seek.  Maybe fear motivated me? I thanks my father often for the hard love, discipline and concern. These three words make solid people.

Now I am the Grandfather. I teach the same lessons. I demand education for my children and my grandchildren. I told my children. You decide your journey, don't cry for mistakes. Man-up or lady-up for my three daughters. If you fall down, get-up ready to fight and go forward and do better.

Life is lesson and more lesson.

Oldest and wisest wisdom. Do at least one thing daily, you enjoy. Life goes by quickly. Do not forget who you are.

                Johnnie/Coyote

Author's Note

Just words.

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

Good work Johnnie, good work. Perhaps we granddads have a mission to pass on what we learned from our fathers and grandfathers (and a tough bunch of b******s they were) to the young, easily offended, politically correct snowflakes a lot of them are. Not all mind you. There are still enough to stand up to make sure the Left has the right to spill their bile.
A good write Johnnie.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ted. I agree. Grandparent. The teacher of life for the children.

[Ms Paragon]

Solid advice!It's all about education and being able to get back up every time you fall down.Thanks for the reminder!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend. I appreciate the comment.

[Ms Paragon]

My pleasure!

[Govind singh]

Very well...I was feeling such a low at this moment but this poem fills me another energy...such a great stuff...as I told u I'm fan of your writtings,you never disappoint..thnk u for sharing such a great thought...keep writing....best wishes:)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Govind for the kind words. We can't give-up or give-in. I appreciate the comment.

[barleygirl]

Even tho your story is particular to your dad, for you, it’s also a story of the times we were in, back then. We didn’t have a bunch of niceties like internet & other ways to make every job easier. We had to do things the hard way & I’m thankful every single day about that. Especially when I see how many younger people are depressed & having fits over something like “anxiety”. I am bipolar & I have anxiety, but you never see me writing about that as if it were a major part of my identity. We all have some affliction or another. So what? To me the important thing is to let your light shine instead of being dulled by whatever is your trouble. If I mope around, then the world mopes around me. If I show my brightest side, then the world reflects & the reflections radiate out & out forever. Our world is so fucked up right now, especially with bad attitudes, it’s more important than ever to have a daily mantra of healing to be spread to everyone you touch. It can be your style as you’ve brilliantly explained in your story here, or it could be my way, or however your special approach goes. We all need to contribute uplifting attitudes & stories becuz we can. Thank you for allowing me this soap box. Your words get me all fired up! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Margie for the comment. Old school wisdom. Made us understand. Life is hard and we can be harder.

[Dave]

John - you again hit the nail on the head. Us grandparents, I have four grandsons, have to help lead their way. There are so many people ready to knock others down. One has to wonder, to what effect?
We must teach our children and grandchildren to make their own decisions and then be ready to stand by those decisions and defend them, if necessary. If you truly know where you stand no one can pull the ground out from under you.
Take care John - Dave

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Dave and thank you for reading and the comment. Being a elder or grandparent. Great responsibility.

[Dave]

There are a lot more bright spots than the other - thank God.

[Donna]

You say, Just words, but they are perfect words. Life can be hard, but don't let know one knock you down.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Donna and thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[sette]

and totally so true my friend there is no other legacy that you can leave but good education

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. Need mentors and good examples. Can be taught to be a good person or bad. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Stella Armour]

Wonderful words John, my parents never supported me or gave me any life advice so i made sure that my children had good foundations on which to build.... life has knocked me down several times but the knack is to get up and smile, then you become an even stronger person..

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Stella. We must set the example and be kind/listen. Thank you Stella for reading and the comment.