my father's father

my grandfather died yesterday morning.  and i feel like a piece of my history has slipped through my fingers.

he was the father of my father, my father who died nine years ago.  he was the father of my aunt, my aunt who died two years ago.  and now he's gone, too.  leaving only my grandmother, the last man standing.  

he died on the other side of an ocean and across another continent in the place where he lived, and so i'm not there to bury him today with my grandmother and my cousins.  i'm here at home instead, looking at old pictures through tears, and sharing stories, and remembering.

my grandfather was a remarkable man.  

he was an entrepreneur until the end; never without an idea for something to sell, or buy, or how to make a million bucks, or how YOU could surely make a million bucks.  he was fascinated by politics, and loved little more than a good political debate (especially when his conservative opinion came out on top - which made for some heated exchanges between us).  he travelled the world for the business he created, visiting countries throughout africa and the middle east in the 1970s and 1980s, seeing places and meeting people that will only ever exist in my imagination.  he lived on two continents for much of his life, and moved, finally, with my grandmother - when they were in their mid-seventies - to build a new life in a foreign country.  he was brave.  and strong (really, really strong).  he always had a story to tell, an opinion to share, advice to give.  nobody sneezed louder than my grandfather.  nobody hugged tighter.  nobody.  he was gruff and tough on the outside - my children were always timid around him at first, each time we visited.  and tender loving on the inside - they were climbing into his lap for great big bear hugs by the time we were leaving.  

i will miss those bear hugs, and his opinions and ideas and stories and advice and his loud, loud sneezes.

he was my grandfather, the father of my father, and he is gone now.  i miss him already.

Comments

[erica]

I'm so sorry. My grandfather died in 2002 and I was honored to be the one sitting by his bed when he took his last breath. I miss him every day. My father died 5 months later, but oddly it's my grandfather I miss. I hope your memories can bring you comfort; your tribute to him is beautiful.

[blair]

I'm so sorry Emily, you are in my thoughts.

[Grace]

oh, sweet friend, i hope you are ok. all my love and thoughts with you. xo

[amisha]

i am so sorry emily. i am thinking of you and your family and sending much love your way.
this tribute to your grandfather is so, so touching. i can feel the love in every word.
xox