Oh my gosh Mish. In a word, this is endless. I really need to process this essay because so much of it spoke directly to my soul and relationship with grief and my own grandfather. For now though, I'm sending you love as you move through the grief and remembering of your grandfather's life and transition. I hope you feel a balm of his love holding you through this.
I cried while reading this as I guessed I would from the first few lines. I have not experienced grief up close with someone from my immediate circle. I cherish this letter and will probably come back to it at a time that I will sadly need it most. Your memories are so plentiful and full and the way you've described the nature, habits, and even silent character of your grandfather speaks to how connected you were. Just like the E.E. Cummings quote that you shared, there is a safe and sweet obsession that lingers (I say still) between you both. Because of that, this reads as a tribute too.
Your grandfather reminds me of mine. He sounds like he embodies the description of grandfathers and humans with immeasurably kind hearts that many dream of. Since we both live similar nomadic lives as we seek a life of our choosing, I also get the pain of living far as my grandfather makes space for me, excitedly, as I return with stories, books, recipes, always reminding me that I have a home in his own, going lengths to ensure that I know that he is there. When someone loves so deeply and unconditionally it is because they are truly special, otherwordly and so I imagine the passing feels heavier, because they have shown us ocean-size love, and who would ever want to be without that. We're so blessed to have been gifted grandfathers like ours. Yours lives on in his legacy of love and memories, Mish. I truly appreciate you for sharing and I hope many will be able to find peace in this letter as I have.
Thank you so much for reading it, Amara. Means the world to see my attempt to verbalise this grief and love received in this way.
I couldn't agree with you more on the point about unconditional love. We hurt during the period of grieving to the extent of our love for the person. In my case, boundless for my grandfather.
Appreciate you taking the time to write this note, and hope it offers you the solace and celebration that somehow grief also lends itself to.
Oh my gosh Mish. In a word, this is endless. I really need to process this essay because so much of it spoke directly to my soul and relationship with grief and my own grandfather. For now though, I'm sending you love as you move through the grief and remembering of your grandfather's life and transition. I hope you feel a balm of his love holding you through this.
I cried while reading this as I guessed I would from the first few lines. I have not experienced grief up close with someone from my immediate circle. I cherish this letter and will probably come back to it at a time that I will sadly need it most. Your memories are so plentiful and full and the way you've described the nature, habits, and even silent character of your grandfather speaks to how connected you were. Just like the E.E. Cummings quote that you shared, there is a safe and sweet obsession that lingers (I say still) between you both. Because of that, this reads as a tribute too.
Your grandfather reminds me of mine. He sounds like he embodies the description of grandfathers and humans with immeasurably kind hearts that many dream of. Since we both live similar nomadic lives as we seek a life of our choosing, I also get the pain of living far as my grandfather makes space for me, excitedly, as I return with stories, books, recipes, always reminding me that I have a home in his own, going lengths to ensure that I know that he is there. When someone loves so deeply and unconditionally it is because they are truly special, otherwordly and so I imagine the passing feels heavier, because they have shown us ocean-size love, and who would ever want to be without that. We're so blessed to have been gifted grandfathers like ours. Yours lives on in his legacy of love and memories, Mish. I truly appreciate you for sharing and I hope many will be able to find peace in this letter as I have.
Thank you so much for reading it, Amara. Means the world to see my attempt to verbalise this grief and love received in this way.
I couldn't agree with you more on the point about unconditional love. We hurt during the period of grieving to the extent of our love for the person. In my case, boundless for my grandfather.
Appreciate you taking the time to write this note, and hope it offers you the solace and celebration that somehow grief also lends itself to.
Much love and hugs!