I remember the first time Grandad held Basya on our trip when she was almost two. She was on his lap in his "chess chair" in the family room, with him holding her hands rocking her. I was in the room, but he wouldn't have known it. He was so focused on making her laugh, and then absorbed in playing with her as she pretended to make him ice cream to eat. While I don't have memories of Grandad from when I was that age, growing up he would have moments with that same look for me. He'd grab my shoulder, the other hand on my face, and just look at me with glimmering eyes and big smile, showing he was proud and content. It was a look that just seemed like he was completed fulfilled in the moment. Grandad, I certainly wish I had appreciated those moments while they occurred but they have been the memory that has stuck with me the most. I remember the last time I got that look - on my last visit - when he hugged me and said "thank you" for visiting again, "I'm proud of you and have a wonderful family." There is nothing more meaningful than having those words to live with for the rest of my life.
And I have a desk, of course. In it are a few other reminders of Grandad: A secret compartment (except that Sam told everyone about it!) that he'd leave money in for me every time he visited, an old electric chess set from Grandad, and Grandad's 2-in-1 ruler and calculator from when he was a kid!