Grandpa

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

I am doing something today I’ve never done. I’m blogging a picture of an actual person from my life. If you’ve paid close attention over the last two years you will have noticed that I never post pictures of people. A hand maybe, or a foot, but never something where you can tell who it is. Today I’m varying the format, breaking the rules.

This handsome guy is my grandfather. And today, Christmas day, is his birthday. I’ve thought a lot about that, having a birthday on Christmas, and you know… really… what a bummer that could have been. Of course, the way he tells it, it wasn’t really bad at all. But then, that’s him… upbeat, positive, always looking at the bright side of things. He’s an amazing human being.

Yesterday Karen and I were sitting here eating pancakes for dinner (very Christmas like of us yes?) and we were talking about being genuine, or at least trying to be. Karen said, most accurately, that my grandfather is one of the most genuine people she knows. No pretense, no hiding behind anger or humor or silence. He is always, without exception, just himself. And as Karen said, he enjoys life, no matter what he’s doing, he gets the most out of it.

I’ve been corresponding with my grandpa now for a couple of months. He sends a letter, I send one back, he sends another. It’s been so wonderful and I hope very much that it continues. I absolutely adore it. In his latest missive, which I read aloud during our pancake dinner last night, he told the story of how he got a tricycle for his 5th Christmas/birthday. He remembered the morning vividly and his enthusiasm in reliving that event reflected, I’m sure, the happiness he felt that long ago day. I could feel the glee coming off the page. But then, that’s my grandpa…. the twinkle in his eyes, the smile on his face, the adventure he finds in the world, in everything he does, every day.

So Grandpa… here’s wishing you a very happy, joy filled, birthday today. You are the best example of what it means to live with joy, adventure, and love, every day. I am so grateful to know you, have cherished, and continue to cherish, all the time I get to spend with you. And I’m filled up with the pride and love I feel in being your granddaughter. Happy birthday grandpa… I love you.