Never Forget... +

Wow, I cannot believe that it has been one year today since my opa passed away. Time has flown by so quickly. As I sit here trying to go over the past year in my head, nothing seems to make perfect sense. As I think about my past 19 years of life, this past year has been the hardest to overcome, but just like my Opa would have wanted it, here I am, here my whole family is taking one step at time towards the future. I have found myself being very angry this past few months, I have found myself holding tight to anything that once was my Opa's, simple things, like that chair he used to sit in, or the hats he used to wear. I am overly protective of them, if someone is sitting in hs chair wrong I yell and throw a fit, because I don't want them to break it. My little sisters tried to wear his old cowboy hats to school one day, and I would not let them, in fear of them getting ruined. I do not mean to act like this over such little things, I know that my Opa was not materialistic, he did not care for some old chair, or a simple hat. For me it is just the memories that those things hold, that I do not want to lose. I feel like if those things are presevered it is a sure thing that I will never forget a simple thing as him sitting in the chair watching the news, or watching a football game. How handsome he looked when he put on his cowboy hat and leather jacket. As each day passes I want to grasp onto all my memories more and more, in fear that someday they will not be as clear. I know I will never forget him, for he left an imprint on heart that will be there forever. I also find myself getting sad, when I look at Aj and know that he did not have the chance to meet my Opa, maybe that is because I long for my Opa's opinion or maybe it is just because I want him to give Aj one of his famous knee bending handshakes to see if Aj passes the test. But than I remember that Opa has left me something that will always be here for me, that will never lead me in the wrong direction, that tries everyday to be an example just as he once was, he has left me my Dad. My Opa taught my dad how to work hard, love with all he has, to never give up, and know when he should back down. He taught him the meaning of respect, How to balance everything in his life and still be happy, to be family orientated, kind hearted, tough when he needed to be and successful. He showed my dad how to have a life long marriage. All of the things that he instilled into my dad, I look forward to getting passed onto me. As I look at my dad today I see the same wrinkles forming on his face that my Opa once had, I see my dad working till he can't move and I see him losing 3 pairs of glasses a week, and I realize that my Opa is not gone, for he is in everyone of us that knew him and loved him. He has left his legacy behind for all of us to use as a guide to become better in everything we do. His spirt remains deep in my heart and soul, I love you Opa, I will love you everyday. I know that your love follows me wherever I go. Without you I don’t know who I’d be, but one things for certain I wouldn’t be me. You taught me how to be just like you I am eternally grateful for the example you have set for me.