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I was always grandpa's favorite. Or at least I'd like to think so. (For the sake of the rest of my family, I'm going to say think even though I know.) My parents had me at a young age, and my mom was going through nursing school when I was born. My grandparents lived with us, which meant they played a significant role in raising me. When we moved to another city, my grandparents moved into an apartment nearby. I remember I used to kick, scream and cry when my parents would try to take me home because I didn't want to leave their apartment. At least one of my grandparents lived with us until my junior year of high school. I didn't know it then, but I was so lucky to have them around.
Since my time in high school, my grandparents lived in Anchorage with my aunt. They both were getting more sick and needed special attention for doctor appointments, check-ups and etc. that my mom couldn't meet at the time. It was fun getting to visit them because Alaska is always a cool place to visit!
After I graduated college, I thought about moving to Anchorage permanently so I could spend more time with my grandparents. I even moved there and did a trial run. That only lasted two months before I decided to move to Oklahoma, but the time I spent with my grandpa then is irreplaceable. It was the last time I saw him really healthy and full, and able to walk by himself.
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| October 2010 in Alaska. |
My grandpa was the coolest. He was the grandpa who scratched my back so I could go to sleep when I was younger. He was the grandpa who fed me soup when I was sick and didn't get mad when I threw up in it. He was the grandpa that gave all of my friends rides to and from school. He was the grandpa who always brought me lunch from McDonald's, Subway or anywhere I wanted if I just called from school. He was the grandpa who went to every one of my junior high basketball games. Hahaha I'm laughing thinking about me playing basketball. He was the grandpa that came to school an hour before it let out so he could be the first one in the pick-up line. He was the grandpa who always tried to slip me a little extra cash. "Shhh, don't tell anyone". He was the grandpa who let me choose what kind of car he got because he knew he was going to give it to me when I turned sixteen. He was the grandpa who filled up my tank of gas every time he used my car. He was the grandpa who rode passenger and didn't chastise me for getting a speeding ticket with my permit. He was the grandpa that put on all of his new Christmas gifts within the first hour of getting them.
He was my grandpa... My sweet, kind, calm and quiet grandpa.
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| Sometime in Texas before he moved back to Alaska (when I was in high school) |
I struggle with the idea of heaven and hell when it comes to people like my grandpa. As most of you may know, I converted to Christianity in high school but grew up in a Buddhist home. My grandpa was a devout believer. I know Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and the only way to get to heaven is to believe in Him. I trust that. But I can't accept that my grandpa isn't somewhere close to a place like heaven. Despite a difference in faith, I trust that my grandpa is in a better place regardless... A place where he is full, healthy and happy.
I love you forever, grandpa. I've always held you in the highest regard, and will continue to tell everyone about my cool grandpa. I still laugh when I think about the time the front hood of your car flew completely open in the middle of the busiest intersection on Harwood. I ducked down so fast just in case someone from school saw me. Awful at the time, but funny to look back on. And you'd love Heath. His calm nature reminds me a lot of you. You don't have to worry because he takes good care of me. I will always be your little Mimi... I mean, I can never change the fact that I got your nose :)
I miss you all the time....
With all of my heart,
Mimi
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