It’s how knowledge has always been transferred: generation to generation. Granted, written and electronic communication seems somehow to supersede the oral tradition, but we learn best by doing — always have, always will.

My father taught me many things I use today by showing me how to do it, and he continues to do so. Whenever I’m messing with the electric system of our house, I always ask him to come over to sit guard and make sure he stops me before I do anything stupid.

It was my father-in-law, though, who taught me how to smoke meat, who taught me how to prepare the brine, rub down the meat with spices, keep the flame low but sufficiently hot, how to treat the meat with care afterward.

Perhaps I’ll be closing the generational gap with the Boy.