A simple fedora.
Grey.
Built with high quality materials that still make it look new despite decades of ownership.

The one thing I inherited from my grandfather.

It sits on my wall to remind me of the many lessons he taught me in life. Lessons that were passed along through his actions as he was a man of very few words.

• He served his country and protected the people he loved during the war
• Despite being captured, he always remained true to himself, never once giving in to pressure to make things easier
• He was wary of authority (disdain for it might even be a better description)
• He took a chance and moved countries, submitting to hard labour at an age where many would back away from it
• He never complained
• Didn’t speak much
• Never learned how to read
• Grew his own food, made his own wine and loved his grandchildren

His only two direct pieces of advice for me:
1. Get that toothpick out of your mouth
2. Helping with the Church is fine, but never become a priest (his experiences with them, especially as a soldier, marked him on that one)

The fedora on my wall is a reminder of what he sacrificed so I can have the what I do right now.

And it’s a reminder to keep my mouth shut, keep it simple and enjoy the moments in life.