It took me a while to figure out how to put this into words. Losing a loved one is one of the most painful experiences an individual may go through, but death is inevitable. It is a part of life. And if you are as lucky as I am, you have the most amazing people supporting you so you do not have to go through it alone.

My grandpa was one of those people that you only get to know once in a lifetime—one of those people who changes your life the second they enter it. He never failed to put a smile on your face, and he would make your day go from zero to 100 the moment you saw him.

I wake up every morning hoping it was all a dream—that I wouldn't walk into your house and see the empty hospital bed that you were sleeping in just days before. I had been preparing myself for this for a while now, but no matter how much you prepare yourself for death, you are still never ready when the time comes.

I don't really know how to even begin grieving over the loss of you. I feel so numb to the fact that you are actually gone because it does not feel real at all. I have not accepted the fact that you will no longer be sitting at the head of the table for Thanksgiving dinner, that you won't be falling asleep on my couch just moments after you arrived and had us turn off whatever we were watching to put on the Mets or Giants game. But you lived a long, incredible life, and you were loved by everyone who knew you.

I will forever cherish the memories of us playing horseshoes and painting seashells in the backyard of the beach house, you letting me win whenever I challenged you to a game of ping pong, you teaching me my first card game, me and Jen arguing over who got to comb your hair, and how you always sneakily hid three different afikomen at Passover so that none of us would feel left out. I will never forget your face or the way it lit up whenever you saw me, Steph and Jen, or the way you would always call me your little ballerina.

I know you are up in heaven now, resting peacefully. It hurts to not have you here with us anymore, but I know you are not in anymore pain. You have touched so many lives and hearts of the people you met. You had such an amazing soul, and even though you are physically gone, I know that your soul will be with us forever. I am truly blessed to have someone as amazing as you watching over and protecting me.

You were empathetic, compassionate and selfless. You were a beloved husband, father and grandfather, an inspiring man and a fighter. You will always be sharp like matzah. I love you, Pop.