My wife likes to watch “American Ninja Warrior.” In one episode a relatively young man with a leg prosthesis competed. They amputated his leg because of an infection. He worked hard for his family to recover and return to work. But more than that, he did not want these uncertain circumstances to dictate his life. His motto was, “adapt and overcome.” He found comfort. He found resilience.

My grandpa Denham grew up in the tenements of Glasgow back when the residents leaned out the window and shouted, “Comin’ oot!” and threw the contents of the chamber pot into the street. Grandpa got sick of being dumped on and brought his brood to Minneapolis and he never looked back. He wasn’t nostalgic about his origins. He was happy to be here.