Picture a grumpy, frizzy haired, brace-faced 16 year old girl. Now, picture that girl who just left the orthodontists office with the news that her braces wouldn’t be coming off anytime soon, AND who had to go back and endure two more hours of hell (or as most call it, high school). She wasn’t able to drive herself around quite yet, so her grandpa took her places. Mooding and brooding as she sat in the car, her grandpa ran into the store to grab a few things before dropping her back off to math class. When he came back out, he handed her a king-sized candy bar and said “your orthodontist oughtta love this”.

My grandpa was the kind of guy who could always make you laugh. He wasn’t the most social butterfly, but whenever he spoke it would always be something witty. We couldn’t make it anywhere without someone striking up a conversation with him, even mentioning his name when he wasn’t around and you were bound to have someone say “I know him!” I remember one summer on vacation with him and my grandma, we were at an aquarium and I was still too short to see the sting rays. So what does he do? This man reaches over into the tank, and lifts up a sting ray just so I could touch it. He picked up a STING RAY just to make me happy; if that doesn’t say all you need to know about him I don’t know what will.

I had been lucky enough to live a full 17 years without experiencing the loss of someone close to me. Lucky enough to know the love and support of a grandparent, and even more thankful knowing that some children don’t get to experience that. A bond between a grandpa and granddaughter is one of no other, and one that is extremely special. This past year without him has been extremely difficult, especially since he won’t be around for our favorite holiday; Christmas. No words can make the loss of a loved one any easier, the pain cannot be dulled or numbed, but reminiscing of the fond memories you’ve shared can make that easier. While a part of who I am left the day my Pop did, knowing that I have him forever watching over me makes things a bit more bearable. I strive to do best to make him proud, and hope that wherever he is he’s watching over me with a smile.