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This picture defines my relationship with my Grandfather. The only man in my entire life that I've ever loved. My role model. I wanted to be just like him. My whole life, my grandfather was there for me. He taught me. He taught me how to understand football. He taught me how to play solitaire. He taught me how to do business with people. He taught me how to lift heavy things. Most importantly, by example, he taught me how to be a man. The only man in my life, I don't know where I'd be without him.
He was my driving force. He kept me going everyday. Every summer I would ride with him as he went to deliver his packages in the raggedy old van. Decrepit as it was, I loved that van. It was not just 4 wheels and an engine to me. It was a symbol. A symbol of years of hard work. A symbol of a powerful man. Ex-Semi pro & college football player.
With those 2 hands. Those 2 powerfully gentle hands, he raised our family with my Grandmother and her stern, gentle heart.
He was the reason I began to play football. Although he never got to see me play with his 2 living eyes, I know he was with me every game, every play, every tackle, every sack. He was with me when we won 2nd place in Brooklyn/Queens patting me on the back. He was with me when we lost in the Brooklyn League championship game in Queens, holding my head up and telling me it would be ok.
He is my rock. My driving force. He keeps me going on my quest to graduate from college and make him proud of me.
His physical self left my world on October 8, 1997, exactly 1 week before my 17th birthday. I was crushed to say the least. The blow was doubled because less than a year before, on December 25, 1996, I lost Grandmother. My spiritual guide.
They didn't even get to see me graduate from High School. But it's ok. They were there with me every step on that stage, on my way to one accomplishment of many to come in my life.
I love you Grandpa. You will always be with me.
I shed a tear, as I think about my days gone by...