From Sadness to a Smile

A year ago today my grandfather passed away. I can still remember the phone call I got from my mom. I knew something was wrong as soon as the phone rang, and even more so when I picked it up and heard her voice say “hi”. I remember a lot about that day...the tears, the disbelief, the wandering aimlessly around Yankee Candle (I had to get out the house and didn't know what else to do), but I can't remember what the weather was like, or what I had for dinner - if I even at dinner. The week that followed was tough, from the wake to the funeral and beyond. It all still doesn't seem like it really happened, but I can remember snippets crystal clear – like they happened an hour ago.

I think about Gramps pretty much every day (and my Babci and Dzadiu too). It's usually something in passing because something reminds of him. Today was different though. Something that I don't often think of popped into my head, and it made me smile. Several years ago, at one of the holidays (I can't remember how long ago, or which one now), I was walking by Gramps and he told me that I looked good. Now, this may seem like no big deal, but to me it was. I had lost weight and I was feeling pretty good about myself, and...well, I really don't even have any words for how special I felt at that moment (pretty funny since I spend a lot of time coming up with descriptive words for things), or how special that memory makes me feel. And, even though I'm sad today because I miss him, that memory makes me smile.

Love you Gramps! <3