Me and my grandfather always had a very close relationship. He still dominates what I think of as a "good man." He always had patience when trying to teach me something and was always willing to discuss whatever silly ideas or interests I had as a child. He was very fit and active all the way up until his death, so we would frequently take me on hikes to dams where we would swim together or take me hunting in the bush.
He lived through the 2nd World War and I loved to learn about the war, the tactics used, the tanks, and everything that influenced it. I remember many nights I would spend hours sitting on the tip of his bed talking to him about the war, what it was like growing up in that time, and what his time in the Army was like. Nowadays I sleep on that same exact bed, even though I have bigger more modern and luxurious beds available to me, just because it helps me feel a connection to him. Some nights I can almost hear his stories as I am about to fall asleep.
Unfortunately he died when I was only 12. He died of a heart attack and I was the one that found him. Since that day my life has never been the same, never as care free, never as enjoyable. When he died a part of me died as well I think.
We are so similar it some times scares me. We are the same height and build and I even wear the same mustache that he did in homage to him. I also only recently started seriously reading and somehow all on my own I fell in love with the same books he loved. When I started reading I never went through his old books because it felt too painful, I bought my own, but as I gained the courage to look through his books I found that me and him enjoyed the same books by the same authors. It is a part of why I read, by reading I discover what he loved, I learn more about him, I learn more about a man I can never speak to again.
All I can say to you is appreciate what you have with your grandfather. You are lucky to have such fond memories with him and try to enjoy the moments that you still have left with him. He may one day leave this earth but the love and joy you shared with him will be carried with you forever. Appreciate that, it is a tremendous gift.
It is remarkable that your grandfather had such a profound impact on you at a young age. I am sorry you lost him so early. I do wonder if the fact he passed when you were young means your memories of him will be pure forever – untarnished by the hardening that comes with time and age. Perhaps there's a beauty to that. It's beautiful that there are so many similarities to you as well, and that you get to discover this as your life progresses. He lives in within you. Thank you for taking the time to write this beautiful response.
I won't deny the fact that I look back on the time spent with my grandfather with rose tinted glasses, but I think if he were still alive today my experiences with him would be no less fond. Almost everyone who knew him had only good things to say of him. He was far from perfect but he had pure intentions his whole life.
This was a beautiful piece!! To me, memories feel like heartbreak, but in an intoxicating way.
Oh that is the perfect description for it. Thank you so much for sharing that. I am glad you enjoyed the piece <3
Me and my grandfather always had a very close relationship. He still dominates what I think of as a "good man." He always had patience when trying to teach me something and was always willing to discuss whatever silly ideas or interests I had as a child. He was very fit and active all the way up until his death, so we would frequently take me on hikes to dams where we would swim together or take me hunting in the bush.
He lived through the 2nd World War and I loved to learn about the war, the tactics used, the tanks, and everything that influenced it. I remember many nights I would spend hours sitting on the tip of his bed talking to him about the war, what it was like growing up in that time, and what his time in the Army was like. Nowadays I sleep on that same exact bed, even though I have bigger more modern and luxurious beds available to me, just because it helps me feel a connection to him. Some nights I can almost hear his stories as I am about to fall asleep.
Unfortunately he died when I was only 12. He died of a heart attack and I was the one that found him. Since that day my life has never been the same, never as care free, never as enjoyable. When he died a part of me died as well I think.
We are so similar it some times scares me. We are the same height and build and I even wear the same mustache that he did in homage to him. I also only recently started seriously reading and somehow all on my own I fell in love with the same books he loved. When I started reading I never went through his old books because it felt too painful, I bought my own, but as I gained the courage to look through his books I found that me and him enjoyed the same books by the same authors. It is a part of why I read, by reading I discover what he loved, I learn more about him, I learn more about a man I can never speak to again.
All I can say to you is appreciate what you have with your grandfather. You are lucky to have such fond memories with him and try to enjoy the moments that you still have left with him. He may one day leave this earth but the love and joy you shared with him will be carried with you forever. Appreciate that, it is a tremendous gift.
It is remarkable that your grandfather had such a profound impact on you at a young age. I am sorry you lost him so early. I do wonder if the fact he passed when you were young means your memories of him will be pure forever – untarnished by the hardening that comes with time and age. Perhaps there's a beauty to that. It's beautiful that there are so many similarities to you as well, and that you get to discover this as your life progresses. He lives in within you. Thank you for taking the time to write this beautiful response.
I won't deny the fact that I look back on the time spent with my grandfather with rose tinted glasses, but I think if he were still alive today my experiences with him would be no less fond. Almost everyone who knew him had only good things to say of him. He was far from perfect but he had pure intentions his whole life.