Engineering a Legacy

A central theme of life – ancient and modern – is the theme of covenant.

The concept of covenant includes many sub-narratives which could be expounded; faithfulness and unfaithfulness, blessing and cursing, privilege and disadvantage, fruitfulness and fruitlessness, peace and war, humility and hubris.

One covenant narrative from my own life is the example of my grandfather. He is a man who takes responsibility, is faithful with little leading to much, and who now experiences in many ways the fruit of that faithfulness. I recently became licensed in my profession – an achievement which presupposes many privileges I have been given – and the accomplishment is in large part due to the legacy my grandfather has established. Below is a short letter I wrote to him and shared with his three sons. I share it here to show honor to my father and grandfather. If a place is to experience blessing, it must show honor to father and mother.

Grandpa Ed,

I wanted to share with you and Grandma a day that I am proud of. As of today I am a licensed professional engineer in the State of Idaho. My seal is below, probably a higher number than the one which appears on your Washington stamp. I am more excited about this than I had anticipated, likely due mainly to the honor I feel in joining the small group of Schlects who have already shouldered the responsibility of being legally recognized as an engineer.

I write to say thank you for the example you have set in life and in the profession and for the way you provided for your sons so that my dad could provide for me. Henry Petroski defines engineering as bringing into existence that which has not existed before. In this sense both you and my dad are the engineers of my opportunity in life. Without the faithfulness you have both exhibited Idaho license #18335 would have surely gone to somebody else. I am thankful for what I have been given. This thankfulness extends also to Great Grandpa Earl, whose name I was sure to include on the my seal in the form of my middle initial. You have recounted to me a few different times your thankfulness to Grandpa Earl and Grandma Jennie for their hard work and their encouragement – perhaps requirement – that you finish college. Their hard labor has resulted in three consecutive generations of licensed engineers.

I promise to bear the responsibility of the seal well, but even more important I promise to keep the good name that you established in the profession, and which uncle Ed and my dad have maintained and expanded.

Best,
Tyson