Ahhh grandad, I really don’t know where to begin. I’ve been procrastinating because writing this makes my mourning for you so real. I miss you already, but I know the doves have flown and you are now at rest. I am left remembering a short car ride to any Teds Hot Dog location to get a good, chargrilled dog with onions and relish. We bopped our heads while listening to the newest music in the Buick Riviera. You would ask me “what CD are we listening to young lady?”, next thing I knew, you went and purchased the same; it was then when I knew I had the coolest grandad. I’ll never forget your signature scent of Choward’s Violet Mints. I never knew why you enjoyed that candy, but now as an adult, the nostalgia draws me to grab a pack whenever I come across it. I find myself folding the foil wrapper just like you to preserve the mints from pocket lint.
I am left reminiscing on our countless conversations where you always dropped valuable life lessons. Whether it was you making sure I was paying my credit cards off and staying out of debt, it pushed me to challenge myself in climbing the credit score journey. The support you had for me in every stage in my life was appreciated. Thank you for making the drive all by yourself from Pearland to Baton Rouge to be at my graduation from law school…you were definitely holding up traffic as you drove up and down the same street for 30 minutes simply trying to locate my apartment complex, but you were the first person to arrive; I never will forget that. We partied all weekend and you never skipped a beat. I am thankful for the summers you spent in Buffalo, when we randomly would ride bikes, bowl a game at Kerns, bond over more Timbits, pizza, and other hometown favorite eats, and continue talking about life.
I surprised you when I told you and Big Mama I was moving to Texas. You were so proud, and I was excited until I experienced that horrible Houston traffic. But you persevered planting roots in Pearland. Every time we spoke, you would tell me how you met someone from Buffalo, you were a man who knew so many people and they knew you. But more importantly, it was the respect I admired. Everyone respected you and I often find myself receiving the same type of respect from others. You always said it is how you carry yourself and others will automatically know how to treat you. Although I feel you left us too soon, Grandad, it appears you have completed your assignment here on earth. No more of me sending you Uber Eats to the hospital, a good old Jersey Mike’s sub, discussing politics, having conversations about Chicago PD, and discussing plans for my upcoming wedding. You said you’d be there and that is hurting the most right now. Big Mama will represent for you in your physical absence, but I know you will be there in spirit to make the day run smoothly. Overall, it is the conversations and times of laughter I will continue to hold on to. So, thank you for leaving me with great memories of you. Love Summer!
