November First

Dear Grandpa,

I can’t believe it has been one whole year since you’ve been gone.

One whole year.

How is that possible?

I miss your voice.

How you loved music.

And would sing along to made up tunes.

My favorite was when I was 2 and pounding on the piano.

I’m so glad we have that on tape.

Saved forever.

I miss the history you lived.

Knowing you served during one of the greatest times in history, World War II.

Knowing the quirky stories on how you survived.

Like if you didn’t lean forward for that one quick second to communicate to the other planes around you, you wouldn’t have made it out of the war alive.  And my mom and I wouldn’t be here today. 

It saddens me to know that your generation is passing away.

Future generations won’t quite understand the significance.

I miss your playfulness.

How you always carried around a pipe.

That you loved your dessert and always shared cookies with Abby when we lived with you for the few months we were looking for a house.

How you always said grace at dinner and took evening naps.

Did you know mom does that to?

I think it runs in the family.

I miss your joyful spirit.

Seeing you light up when mom and I came to visit you and grandma at the assisted care facility you lived in the last 2 years of your life.

How you would always check my toes to see if they were painted.

You liked it when my toe nails were painted.

I’m not sure why.

A few months back mom and I took Abby on a car ride.

She was barking at all the people walking by.

As we came to a stop, and elderly man was walking to his car.

Abby barked.

And he playfully barked back.

It reminded me of you.

Because that is exactly what you would have done.

If you were here.

With us.

I miss you, grandpa.

With love, your granddaughter,

Megan