Grandpa

It’s odd to write a speech knowing it will have no audience. I guess in 2020 that makes this a post. 

I was Grandpa's favorite  granddaughter. There were only 2 very good choices but we both admit that Grandpa and I had a special relationship. 

As a young child I spent a lot of time with my grandfather. He was a man who liked process and doing things carefully, a step by step kind of a guy. I was not that kind of child, and yet we found a way to make it work. We partook in many multi-step activities; it requires much patience on my part and now I can take the perspective to see how much patience it took on my grandfather's part. 

I learned how to make fish prints laying out the news paper, ironing a shirt flat, painting the rubber fish, placing it carefully, pressing it down and removing it following all directions and working slowly. Grandpa felt it was important to set the table for the tea party before filling the cups with water. 

As I grew up my grandfather took a lot of pride in my education and career but he took the most pride and interest in my Mat. Mat and Grandpa could and did talk for hours about their professions, about engineering, about steam tables and somewhere there I really stopped understanding. 

As Grandpa became older our time together certainly changed but Mat always continued to have the patience for the conversations detailing how things were doing, step by step, even helping Grandpa in and out of our home one step at a time, patiently. 

I always said that of all my grandparents I was the closest with grandpa and I think that is true but a lot changed as Grandpa aged. But there were certain things that never changed. 

Grandpa always wanted us to live life and use each thing he gave us “in good health”. He once gave Abby 200 string cheeses and said "use it in good health". The irony is not lost on me that I am unable to be at his funeral to live life “in good health.” Grandpa wanted so badly for everyone to live a healthy life and it gives me some assurance knowing he does not have to continue his life any longer in poor health. 

A similar constant in grandpas 91 years was his love and pride for his family. Grandpa kept in close touch with his Aunt Miriam until she passed at 99 and made sure his granddaughters got to know his family. Grandpa did not have a large immediate family but we did all family events and activities with Grandma and Grandpa. As Mat and I started our own little offshoot, it was incredibly special that Grandpa was able to be with us in the room when we named Benji. Grandpa who often couldn’t hear or couldn’t see was able to hear clearly that day when we gave Benji such a significant family name. Grandpa even did his best to smile. 

The expression "stand by your side" could not be more true for any two people besides my Grandma and Grandpa. My Grandma quite literally sat or stood by my Grandpa's side for a whole lot of years (62 and a half years). My Grandpa was not always easy to care for but not only did my Grandma do it, but she did it patiently and kindly. No one should have to be alone especially not in a moment of loss. My Grandma stood by my Grandpa's side all the time and does not deserve to stand alone. I joked with Grandma that for her 90th birthday there was a pandemic because she had never had one before. I wish so badly that you could have lived your whole life without one. While we can’t send food (because of Pesach) or stand by you because of a pandemic, we will do the next best thing. We will video call our smiling Benji in to your home so you will not be alone. He can’t stand yet but he can certainly be by your (virtual) side. 

Grandpa I’m so glad I gave you all the extra pie, cookies, and sweets everyone told you not to have. Know it made those moments just a little sweeter.

Michelle