Dear Grandpa,

You will never truly know what you did for all of us. You may have an idea or you just didn't care about the specifics -- but you helped me and my siblings more than you will ever know. When we were struggling, when we were sad, when we had no where else to go -- you were there, not even asking any questions. That was one of the greatest qualities you had. No matter what we needed, you were more than happy to lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on or a huge bowl of ice cream to share while resting on your couch.

My earliest memories involve you in almost all of them. You were old pretty much my whole life, but it never truly hit me that you were up in age until you left us. Your age didn't even phase me -- you still played with us, held birthday parties at your house, took us to the park and even rode bikes with us. There were many times were we thought you weren't going to do it, but you always did. Out of almost all of the people in my life and my siblings lives, you never disappointed us. And even if you thought you were, you really weren't. I could never be disappointed by your kindness.

Dear Grandpa, I will always remember the time were my family had no where to go -- my dad didn't have a job and we were powerless. You invited us into your home and laughed as you watched my siblings and I slide down the front stairs on our butts -- still making sure we weren't getting ourselves hurt. You were always on the quiet side, and I know we were too loud, but you still let us have fun. You were great that way. Stern when you needed to be, but always gentle with us kids.

I know now that we had it rough when we were growing up, but with you there to help my family, I don't have many memories of the struggle or sadness I know my parents were feeling. You shielded us kids from knowing it was bad by providing us with the things we needed. I never had to go without clothes, new shoes, food, shelter or school supplies -- you made sure of it. You even got some of our family members involved, donating money to get us Christmas presents to open.

Grandpa, I have so many memories of you. Helping you wash your car, drawing with chalk on your sidewalk, coloring at your dinner table, watching movies with you on the weekends, popping popcorn, cooking food with you -- and that's just a few of them. Some of the most ordinary memories are the ones that stand out so clearly to me now. I remember watching the movie "Pillow Talk," eating blackberry ice cream while you did crosswords. I remember watching "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" with you -- and you knew every answer before the people on the show! If you had even gone on either of the shows, you'd have blown everyone else out of the water.

I mean I even remember when you had your Crown Victoria car, you'd make everyone sit in the backseat but I got to sit up front with you in the middle seat. I loved that privileged. I remember taking early afternoon naps with you, to wake up later to eat egg sandwiches. When I was like 12, I remember being at school and you lived across the street. You'd come on your porch during recess and wave to me.

My siblings and I, we were constantly over your house -- to the point where our parents had to tell us we had to spend time at our own house once in a while. You even would get bigger apartments that had an additional room so we would have our own bedroom whenever we stayed over. You fully furnished it so we would have a place to go when there was nowhere else. You let me sisters live with you when they had been on the street. You did whatever you could to make us happy and safe.

Now that you're gone, all I am is left with these memories of you. It hurts and it's hard. But you're at peace now. If you saw how sad I was, you'd pinch me on the nose and tell me to buck up. You were one of my greatest supporters and there is a void now where your presence once was. I took your existence for granted and now that you've passed, that place in my heart is remarkably empty.

We all loved you so much. You will love on in my heart, mind, soul and everyone you've ever touched. The world won't know a more lovable and great grandpa. You'd want us to live on and not grieve incessantly. It's hard. But you raised us to be strong, so I will be.

I love you.

RIP.