intensity

i think that most or all of you who read this know that my grandpa passed away about a week and a half ago. my brother and i went back east (and most of you reading this were probably there with us.) it was very sad but also very heart-warming. my grandma got dozens and dozens of sympathy cards, and there were many people who came to the memorial celebration to appreciate my grandpa. we all knew that he was incredibly special--and seeing and hearing from all of those people just confirmed it. it was, honestly, really wonderful to be with my family (many of whom are my devoted readers.) :-)
i am so excited for next summer, when we will be together to celebrate our wedding. i'm really sad that my grandpa can't be there--but he and jesse did get to spend time together before he passed away. that was really important to me. i hope that i can have a marriage that weathers many things, the way that my grandparents' marriage did.

at my grandpa's memorial celebration, a bunch of his 8th grade teaching colleagues came and they told me about his time in the classroom. he taught 8th grade history for 20 years (or thereabouts, i think). it's funny because i'm not going to say that i chose middle school because of my grandpa, and i didn't have a choice of what grade i was going to teach. i was hired to fill an 8th grade position. also, my grandpa was the first to say that our teaching experiences were incredibly different in many ways. however, i do love that i am following in his footsteps. all throughout my life, and especially in my more adult life as a college student and a working professional, he has always asked me questions about my life, been interested in what i've been doing, and shared his stories and experiences with me. he and my grandma have always been proud of me, too, and that has felt really good. they have never pressured me about things, either. i guess it just makes me feel good to know that i am sort of carrying on some of what he did. it is a nice way for me to remember him.

i won't say anything else sappy or cliche. just that i will miss him, and i know that we all will. i am just glad that he was as much a part of my life as he was, and that we got to spend some time together this past summer. he was many things, including a wonderful grandpa.