Dear Grandpa,

As I have for the past thirty years, tomorrow, I celebrate another year of life, but today, I mourn the end of yours.

Thirty years without you.

I was one day shy of turning four when you passed. I still vaguely remember waking up the next day to birthday greetings and the news that you had died. I remember attending your funeral and burial…and that’s about it.

I wish I had gotten to spend more years with you, grandpa. I grew up envying my older brother and cousins when they would reminisce on memories they had of you.

I hold in my heart all of the Sunday visits we shared with you and grandma after mass, as well as the money you’d give me and my sister to go buy a Happy Meal at McDonald’s - this is probably where my fondness for fast food began, let’s be real here.

Oh, what I would do to have one more day with you.

God’s plan was to carry you to his eternal kingdom after years of you suffering with diabetes and ill health. It was time. My four year old self couldn’t comprehend that, but my soon to be thirty-four year old self can. You have been in comfort, being watched by our lord, for thirty years, and I’m so glad that you now have grandma at your side keeping you company…please, make sure you say hi to her for me.

I want you to know that, as much as I’ve struggled the past few years debating my teaching career, you are such a huge part of why I remain an educator. Mamá always told me how you were a migrant worker so you could support your family. She said that you moved with the beet harvest and went to Minnesota to work…when you should’ve been in school. You had a third grade education and hoped for more education, but unfortunately, as a child of the Depression, this was not possible.

So, when you got married and started a family, you instilled in your children the value and importance of an education and saved money to put them through school. Your two daughters, my mamá included, became teachers. Four of your grandchildren became teachers. We did it to honor you.

Whenever we get to our Great Depression unit, I always use you as an example of how Americans struggled…and emphasize that your dreams that were placed on hold were fulfilled through your descendants. I try to instil the same value and importance of an education to my own students, especially when they ramble on about becoming football or basketball stars…or social media influencers…

Or video gamers.

Uhhh, I’m clearly rambling now, so what I’m trying to say is…you are with me, always. I miss you so much, but your memory and your love protect me every single day.

One day, I’ll see you again, and we can share some greasy fast food together with the family.

Until then, please…continue to keep watch over me until the end of my time on this earth.

Love always,

Kate