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 As the granny of Jeffrey Kaplan, president of Household Inspection Team, my bio is somewhat biased because my grandson is writing this. I passed away in 2002, leaving behind a legacy of stories. I really don't like to brag, but I was an amazing individual who was loved by everyone in my family and touched the hearts of people I only knew for a short while. After my husband passed away leaving me with three young children to raise, I dedicated my life to providing a positive life for them. I never dated, except for one time back in 1945, but got "grossed out" when the gentleman tried to get fresh.
Being a single parent in those days, it was unheard of for the woman to work and raise the children on their own; I realized that my children are my life, so this is what I lived for. During the tough times, I provided shelter for my family and gave them love through art and music. I was the most amazing pianist, mastering Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and many others just to name a few. I practiced for hours every day from the age of six 'til my late 90's. In 1919, at the age of 14, I started my own business teaching piano to adults. I even had my own business cards with my phone number which only had four digits. In fact, my grandson proudly displays my teacher's certificate that I earned from a local college when I was just 13 years old.
When my youngest daughter, Cookie had her three children, I noticed something different about my grandson, Jeffrey. He wasn't into music or art like everyone else in the family; he had an entrepreneurial side that I was able to identify when he was only seven years old. Because his father left when he was four, my daughter was forced to work two jobs, go to school to earn a degree and raise her three young children. Because she had to work to support the family, Jeffrey spent almost every weekend at my house from childhood to his teenage years.
During our private time spent together, I taught him the importance of a checking account, being self-employed, "owning and never renting" , and having respect for family, friends, and strangers. We would walk to the bank every Saturday to sell CD's, make deposits, transfer funds and get free gifts from the bank for buying stocks, bonds or CD's (not compact discs). I never tried to introduce Jeffrey to music or the arts, I focused on honing his skills as a 'man around the house'. Every time he came over to my house for the weekend, I would have a project for him and would pay him by buying him a tool of his choice.
By the time he was ten years old, he and I were partners in a lemonade stand, garage sale, handyman work, neighborhood garage clean-up, snow shoveling, and many more. With his discipline and talents from that point forward, I felt that when I left this world at the age of 98, I certainly had a major influence on the HIT Team and all its divisions. As my spirit still lingers, I appreciate the fact that my name will always live on and my memory will be as strong as my influence -
Love to All!! Granny
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