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To My Grandfather, Who Taught Me About Family
While he lived, he was technically my father-in-law, but he was always Grandpa to me.
To my Beloved Late Father-in-law,
I hope you are at peace now. No one I know deserves it more than you. With all the turmoil in your own family, you still took care of us. My children cried so much at your funeral and still miss you every day.
Grandparents give a special kind of love. Parents have to set examples, to balance affection with discipline. They ensure their children can take care of themselves and survive in an uncertain world. Their love is tempered with lessons, and their messages can be complicated. But for grandparents, it’s just about love.
My own father died when I was 18, and my mother is burdened by health problems. It was you who gave my children that uncomplicated grandparent love. Somehow, you made things easier for them to understand. I’m so grateful they had you.
Grandparents have the luxury of patience and focus. They always have time to listen and, when asked, can give just the right advice. So many parents envy the simplicity of being grandparents, but you earned that exalted state, and you cared for us until the very end. You were still cooking Chinese food for us at 93, even though you could…
