Heartbroken

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,

and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

[Kahlil Gibran]

Yesterday the world lost an amazing man, but heaven gained one amazing angel. The man who has been an extra grandfather to me my whole life passed away yesterday, and my heart is full of sadness over the loss. Every time I realize I won't hear his voice again or see his smile brings unbelievable pain. There may have not been blood binding our families together, but he is my grandfather in every other sense of the world. We don't need blood to form the strongest bonds in our world. We need love, and Mr. U had that in abundance.

He and his wife took my father into their family years ago after his father had passed away when he was nine years old. My dad joined their newly formed Boy Scout troop and ever since has been their other child. When he married my mother she became their daughter-in-law. When I was born I was their other grandchild. Every milestone was as important to them as if we were related by blood. Because the love was there and cherished. 

I could list the accomplishments of his life and tell you about all the other reasons he was an amazing force upon this earth. But words won't do him justice. He loved many and was loved by many. And that is an amazing legacy to leave behind. 

I wish he was still here with us, but I know that he is no longer suffering and will not suffer the fate so many with cancer suffer. 

I Love You, Mr. U., Always.