I was never one to speak about this publicly, all that I would say I felt in my heart. However, I wanted to share a few thoughts. It’s crazy to think it’s been almost a year without you. Although time passes, I still think about you each day, I smile and sometimes shed some tears.

I appreciate all the time we spent together, especially when I was younger. I would say you and grandma played a big role in raising me. You would take me to the playground, for walks outside; every day with no complaints no matter how much I nagged. My favorite elementary school afternoons were the ones where you picked me up, or when the school bus pulled up at the stopped and you were there to greet me. Dinners with you and grandma were always special, and when mom and dad came to pick me up I did not want to leave.

The bond we had when I was younger became something I only appreciated more with age. Every time you came over (early of course), I would smile as I gave you a hug and kiss hello. You were a quiet man, mostly because of your hard of hearing, so I would always check in on you with a brief thumb up, or tap on the shoulder. I loved when you would tell others about me, you’d see me and say to the other person “That’s my sweetie girl, we have a special bond.”

Phone calls were difficult (and sometimes frustrating) because the family and I would have to scream for you to hear. However, that never stopped me from wanting to pick up the phone. I’m happy I made the attempt to visit you all I could, it brought us closer and made us appreciate one another more.

Going away to school and finding out you were sick was one of the toughest things to hear. I’m grateful I got to spend your last couple of days with you and that you didn’t fight to live a life you were no longer in control of. Although this hasn’t been the easiest for any of us, we keep you in our hearts each day and are happy you are with grandma again; hopefully dancing.

I will always admire your selflessness, how you embraced family and are a true demonstration of living life to the fullest no matter how old you are. I see more and more qualities you amplified rub off on myself as I grow up; your independence, your value of family and tradition, your ability to make others laugh.

I will always remember your bright blue eyes, full head of gray hair, your pineapple shirt, your stubbornness. You’ve taught me so much, and I hope one day I can tell my children all about you, instill all the same values, and have the same one of a kind relationship with them. I consider myself lucky to have such fond memories of you stored in my mind, ones that I will never forget.

So, thank you grandpa, for being the best grandfather a girl could ask for. You’ve impacted my life for the better, sorry it’s taken me so long to speak out.