You were one of the most honorable men I have ever known. You lived each day of your life with a heart wide open, and your smile, jokes and laugh were so contagious. As I was growing up, I looked to you as the cement of our entire family. No matter what troubles happened, somehow we were always able to break through them together. I never imagined that you would be gone one day. I felt like I didn’t have to worry about it. But then one day, you were gone. And then everything changed. The world got a few shades darker, and I just didn’t understand why God needed you. How could He need you more than us?

Suddenly, there was a lot less laughter in my life and a lot fewer smiles. I went from seeing you every day, to never seeing you again. Never being able to hug you and tell you how much I love you. I loved going to church with you, and spending nights with you and Grandma. Waking up in the morning and hearing you sing, “Good morning! Good morning to you!”

The years since you left have been the hardest years of my life, and I’ve made a lot of bad choices when it came to dealing with my problems, but I pray every day that I didn’t disappoint you with those choices. Sometimes I can feel you around me and I feel better, but other times I want to be selfish and try to get you back.

You were in so much pain when you left; I could see it in your face. And I realize now, you are so much better off. You are still with each of us, and you still prove it through little miracles.

I never really thanked you for being the grandpa that you were, but I need to thank you now. I was sincerely blessed to have you in my life. I don’t know how I could ever thank God enough for letting us keep you as long as we did.

I love you so much Grandpa, and I can’t wait to see you again someday.