It's going to be two years now since the day we lost grandpa, a week after he was gone I sat on my computer and wrote the following letter and shared it with my family. On my first day on this platform when I did not understand how it worked, I attempted to share it, but as you can imagine almost nobody got a chance to read it. I decided to share this again with all the new friends I've made on here, I just wanted more people to get to know who grandpa was, even if its only through some letters on a blog post.
Originally Written Dec 2015
I wanted to share a thought that has been beating around my head for the last few days, and maybe more than a thought a different perspective on life. There is no doubt in my mind that this last week has split my life in two, a before and an after, but not necessarily in a negative way.
As a boy growing up it was natural for me to look up to a role model, and for me, grandpa was it. He was strong, charming, the best of friends and more importantly he commanded respect without ever having to raise his voice. For all purposes he was my father figure who shaped me in more ways than anyone else.
Grandpa taught me a disability can be overshadowed by a strong will
As kids we used to go to the family's farm every weekend, and part of the trip was always to buy mints at the toll on the way to the farm. And it was here I learned this lesson, my grandpa called this kid over and bought all of his mints, it was a ridiculous amount of mints, more than we could ever eat. Knowing this was an unusual thing to do, I asked him “Why would you buy all his mints grandpa?” and he said “Look at his hands, (the kid had only two fingers) he could easily be asking for money feeling worthless, but he chooses to work and look how he counts the money with his two fingers, he learned how to use them, he figured it out”
This lesson was so powerful that even to this day it resonates with me, in one way or another all of us are born in some aspect with two fingers, but we can learn to overcome this.
Grandpa taught me how to make friends
My grandfather had a natural undeniable charisma, he could walk up to a stranger and within minutes talk as if they have known each other for years. It was not about a fake act of kindness, but in finding the kind side on other people. Its no surprise that he was loved by more friends than I can possibly count, even employees that worked for him would come visit him long after they had been under his wing.
Grandpa was a natural leader
He never had to say he was the Boss, we just knew. When he talked, we listen but not because he was a scary angry man, but because you always knew that he had your best interest in mind. It was that simple, everyone gravitated to him for advice.
Grandpa was strong in more ways than one
Aside from the obvious physical strength he had, his biggest strength was his will power. He truly did accomplish everything he wanted. He could remain calm in the most difficult of circumstances and look at us with a subtle smile to reassure us everything was going to be OK.
Grandpa taught me how to love
That almost forgotten concept of through thick and thin, he truly lived it. Not only for loving my grandmother until the very last minute but in the way he loved all of us. He was always there to help us get up if we strayed from our path.
He was the man who would share everything he owned without a second thought or regret. Affectionate like no other man I know and always welcoming.
When my grandmother fell ill with cancer my grandfather truly showed his most powerful gift. It was like watching a love story unfold right in front of me. He cooked for her, cleaned the house and would hold her and caress her like they were teenagers again. The word “inspiring” falls short. I know in my heart that it was because of his love and care that my grandma defeated her cancer and today looks as beautiful as always.
Grandpa taught me how to die
A warrior until his last breath, he never gave up. I'm sure now he held on to see all his family together for his birthday. And he left us in his bed, in peace surrounded by the ones who looked up to him and loved him.
For all these reasons and many more he will always be my superhero. I don't know who the original author of this thought may be, but it really encompasses my grandfather.
“A Hero is not almighty, he makes mistakes, feels fear and sometimes even loses battles... but it's his ideals and legacy that in the end triumph”
Thank you for reading