Harold Coates
I was asked by my grandmother to write a favorite story or memory of my grandpa for his birthday (9/20). So I wrote something and thought I would post it here on my blog.

Grandpa,
I was asked to write about my fondest memory of grandpa... wow to pick just one experience that really sticks out is hard. I look back at times at the lake learning to clean fish or more importantly how to clean a catfish, or recently when at a car race you asked me about corner balanced tire pressures... I am reminded that Grandpa knows everything and I need to stop being surprised each time he proves it to me again.

So one of the times when I learned a lot was the trip we took to Michigan Tech when I was in middle school. I helped navigate the journey, back up the camper, level the RV, start fires, cook outdoors, and it might of been one of the first times I changed time zones (in lovely Wisconsin). All the while you taught me about the road and to just enjoying being around the people you love. We had a fun trip, saw a lot of sites, and I still fondly look at those photos. It is the little things that you taught me on the trip that I remember. How to tip a bad waitress, haggle with a store owner for an expired coupon, to remember to say your prayers at night, and how to get the campsite to move you to a better location just by asking the right way.

Some of those lessons people wouldn't consider a big deal. But if you think about if I remember them all more then 10 years later it was clearly an important lesson. Aside from on just that trip you taught me so many things about life that I use on a daily basis. I wanted to take the time to write this note and say thank you and that I remember all the things you taught me, even if I am not always walking the right path... I am thinking about it and trying my best to be like my grandpa.

Thanks Grandpa. Love,

Sam