(open the link below in a new tab and then read)D G D"He summoned all of his joy when he laughed
A It suffered all of his joy when he cried.
D D7 And sometimes when he got into talkin'
G Ab/D Man he could rattle on and on
D A DHe was a good man and now hes gone." - M. Ward
There's a moment after you get off of a roller coaster when your feet have to get used to the ground again. That's me back in New York.
About 2 weeks ago I called my grandfather, "Papa," and told him about the school that I'm working at. It's no small thing to me to hear him say that I've made him proud. I could here in his voice though, one I've known and loved since I was born, that he was tired and in much pain.
On a Friday, I got news that he passed away. I needed to be with my family. Rushed, worried, and tired, I was able to find a way home by the following Wednesday.
I've had a few sudden thoughts that I think are worth sharing, particularly to the people who share love for my Papa.
People keep telling me that they're sorry and that it must be hard. And it is in many ways. But apart from all the difficulties, I've realized that when a person lives their life in love, there's so little to fear and so much to celebrate. A great many people came to tell our family that Papa was like a brother, a father, or a grandfather to them. He is a true model of how to love people.
I feel those reverberations, those waves of his love that are still here because of him, are so much stronger than my own sadness. And I can't help but think that perhaps he was sharing with us what heaven is to him. I wish I could see my family and all those people under better circumstances, but that's not how the world works. We are connected instead by the love of people like papa.
My weekend at home for Papa's funeral was filled with laughter and celebration. And I'll always remember that he would have LOVED it. What a way to go- in the warmth of the woman you love, the children you made into adults, the grandchildren who want to be just like you, the friends who helped along, and everyone knew that they were loved by this man.
I miss Papa. And he's gone, but not in us. I feel grateful that even in passing on, he throws a hell of a party.
