Missing Grandpa 4444

 [Grandpa 4444 and Kyle, 1994]

In honor of today, my father-in-law's birthday, I'm re-posting this brief anecdote that still touches my heart....

Nine years ago, when Kendall was eight and Kyle was eleven, we lost Grandpa 4444 to a massive heart attack. It was a shock that pulled the rug out from under all of us and left a hole in our family that has yet to be filled. Four years later, out of the blue one day, Kendall said to me,

"I miss Grandpa."

"Me, too. He was a great grandpa."

She reflected, "I know Kyle thought I didn't miss Grandpa as much as he did when he died, but I did. "

"I know, Honey."

She continued, "Grandpa gave me some sand from Hawaii once, and I put a little bit of glitter in it."

"Is that the sand I saw on your dresser when I cleaned up in your room last week?"

She nodded, "And I know I shouldn't have done this, but after Grandpa died, every night before I went to sleep, I took a little pinch of that sand and sprinkled it around my room, so I would feel like Grandpa was with me when I was sleeping."

I got a little choked up. "Grandpa would have loved that, Honey."

And I know he does.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Bob. We miss you.