Several weeks ago, I was inspired by Chris Brogan’s book, Trust Agents, to seek out and highlight authentic trustworthy people and brands. After lots of thought and encouragement I’ve decided to launch a project for the next 365 days: Project Authenticity. I have no idea where this will lead but I am excited to embark on this journey. I’ll be seeking out people and brands who are doing it right. Stay tuned there will be lots more info coming.
To kick off this project, it was a very easy choice for me, but very personal. The last couple of days have been very tough for me, you see, it was my birthday on the 3rd of September. I’ve been dreading my birthday since February 10 to be exact. Every single birthday, I’ve celebrated with my grandfather, September 3rd was his birthday as well. For as long as I can remember, we have always had a giggle together on this day. I was his first grandchild and the fact that we shared a birthday created a special bond between us. I always have looked forward to our conversations on this day because there was something extra special about them. Even the way he pronounced my name was unique and I loved it…except for maybe when he was calling me out for something…okay even then. Sadly, he passed away in February and I miss him terribly.
For months, I’ve been racking my brain on how I could honor him. Believe me, he would not want me to write about him, yet somehow, it seems like the right thing to do. As I started thinking about this project seriously, I decided I would kick this project off by honoring him. He was about as authentic as they come. He was never afraid to speak his mind and you always knew where you stood with him. The preacher as his funeral said: “he had a certain expression and when he cast it your way you know you’d been looked at.”
Let me tell you, just a little bit about him…Landon B Roane (LB to family and friends) was raised in Memphis. He served in WWII with the 84th Infantry Division (the Railsplitters) and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Shortly after his return to Memphis, he moved his family to Atlanta, Georgia. Anyone you ask, would say he was a man of his word, he was private, yet transparent. He was predictable, in that, you could always count on him to speak his mind. He was forward thinking, yet traditional. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather,great grandfather and friend. He loved all of us dearly – but my grandmother he truly loved first and most. They had a love affair that lasted until the very end…69 years. In his final days, I remember one day my grandmother just walked into the room and as she entered the room he lit up like a Christmas tree and was grinning ear to ear.
He absolutely loved to eat, and he could not understand why I was not a fan of sweets. I remember one year in particular, my grandmother had him on a diet. And the day before my birthday he called me, it stopped me in my tracks because he never called me at work, as a matter of fact this may be the one and only time. The call went like this:
Me: Hey there, is everything okay
Him: Hey Robyn, yes but I need to talk to you about something
Me: Sure, okay
Him: I look forward every year to our birthday
Me: Me too,
Him: That’s good, it’s a special day for us.
Me: Yep it is
Him: Good, so I need you to do me a favor
That question stopped me in my tracks, he’d never asked for a favor. I was a little nervous and worried that someone in our family might be sick. And his tone was growing more serious.
Him: Stop telling your mom and grandmother you don’t want a birthday cake this year.
Me: um what?
Him: Stop telling them you don’t want any cake, I look forward to two different cakes every year. Your grandmother has me on a diet and I’ve been looking forward to our cakes for a week now.
Me: Okay no problem. What kind of cake do you want me to request?
Him: That’s up to you….okay I have to go. Robyn?
Me: Yes sir?
Him: I love you
Me: Me too
Him: Don’t tell anyone about this call.
And I never did tell anyone, until now. I’m still not big on cake, it’s just not my thing, but he was and for that reason this year when I saw my cake it reminded me of him. He’s missed dearly this year, but the memories and legacy he left us are solid.
He was trustworthy, honest, unafraid to tell you the truth, funny, conservative and above all else, one of a kind, truly authentic. And I had the privilege calling him grandfather and friend!
