my family insisted that i speak at the burial. they loved what i wrote and i brought tears to everyone. not the greatest feeling in the world, but im glad they were able to feel my pain through my words. here is what i wrote. they said he would have been so proud.:
'A friend recently told me, "When I die, I can only hope someone will love me as much as you love him. And I regret never meeting him. I feel as though I missed out on something truly amazing!" I just grinned. They're right. They did miss out on the greatest of men.
When I picture my grandfather, the first thing I see is his smile. He had the most sincere smile. Through it you could see into his heart and soul. It was his trademark. When my grandfather would grace a stranger with his enormous grin, they would feel so welcomed and safe. Whether it was a neighbor as he would walk the dogs, or the cashier at the grocery store, everyone remembered the old man with a smile and a wave.
But to the lucky people that got to know my grandfather he was much, much more. He was our mentor, our confident, and to me imparticularly, he was my best friend. No one listened to me and appreciated me like Grandpa did. He was my biggest fan and my most enthusiastic counselor. He wanted nothing more than for me to be happy and to succeed. Whether it was my art or writings, Grandpa was the one to push me to continue. At the hospital he would brag about my paintings to everyone that entered his room. No one would have seen a more proud man.
Not only was he sincere, though. Grandpa was also honest. We talked about everything! From our memories of Nanny, to my future plans, and everything in between. Family, my boy problems, our daily happenings, and even my biggest of secrets. Grandpa was there for it all!
One of my most recent memories that I'm glad I got the chance to share with him was taking him to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and a hockey game. I wanted him to spend a night at the place he always questioned me about. We had an amazing time! Naturally! Beer and sports, what else could he ask for?!
I know Grandpa is happy now, watching us with Nanny, but I still can't help but cry and feel sorry for myself. Through his life I learned so many lessons and have so much hope for what is to come. But through his death, the world has lost its finest!
So here's to the man with the biggest heart, the most wonderful smile, and the most positive and rare of personalities...
Grandpa, ich liebe dich!'
'A friend recently told me, "When I die, I can only hope someone will love me as much as you love him. And I regret never meeting him. I feel as though I missed out on something truly amazing!" I just grinned. They're right. They did miss out on the greatest of men.
When I picture my grandfather, the first thing I see is his smile. He had the most sincere smile. Through it you could see into his heart and soul. It was his trademark. When my grandfather would grace a stranger with his enormous grin, they would feel so welcomed and safe. Whether it was a neighbor as he would walk the dogs, or the cashier at the grocery store, everyone remembered the old man with a smile and a wave.
But to the lucky people that got to know my grandfather he was much, much more. He was our mentor, our confident, and to me imparticularly, he was my best friend. No one listened to me and appreciated me like Grandpa did. He was my biggest fan and my most enthusiastic counselor. He wanted nothing more than for me to be happy and to succeed. Whether it was my art or writings, Grandpa was the one to push me to continue. At the hospital he would brag about my paintings to everyone that entered his room. No one would have seen a more proud man.
Not only was he sincere, though. Grandpa was also honest. We talked about everything! From our memories of Nanny, to my future plans, and everything in between. Family, my boy problems, our daily happenings, and even my biggest of secrets. Grandpa was there for it all!
One of my most recent memories that I'm glad I got the chance to share with him was taking him to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and a hockey game. I wanted him to spend a night at the place he always questioned me about. We had an amazing time! Naturally! Beer and sports, what else could he ask for?!
I know Grandpa is happy now, watching us with Nanny, but I still can't help but cry and feel sorry for myself. Through his life I learned so many lessons and have so much hope for what is to come. But through his death, the world has lost its finest!
So here's to the man with the biggest heart, the most wonderful smile, and the most positive and rare of personalities...
Grandpa, ich liebe dich!'
_interrobang_:
That was beautifully written. I hope you are starting to find peace and closure. I miss talking with you. Take care.