My grandfather passed away several weeks ago now, but every time I try to write this I write it as if it’s a letter I am will send him. However, he can’t receive these kind of letters anymore and that simple fact is hard to understand.
Grandpa Johnson was without a doubt one of the most important people in my life and has truly shaped me into the person I am today. He was a man of God and dedicated his life to not only his family, but all those who surrounded him. This wasn’t just shown during his time in education or as a reverend. This was demonstrated in his every day life.
I remember going to the grocery store late one night with my grandma and grandpa, we were kind of in a rush so it was an in-and-out kind of deal. My grandpa spotted this young man stacking oranges and decided he was the perfect person to strike up a conversation with. He sat there for 20 minutes (big travel delay) learning about this kid’s life and aspirations, then at the end he gave him some of his invaluable advice and parted ways. This was a common interaction for my grandpa, and some of you reading this may have experienced it yourself.
He was continuously trying to teach me new things, from self defense (Karate) on the staircase landing to perspective art techniques at the high-top table. He would challenge me to Sudoku puzzles and make sure I thought I was the smartest kid ever. He was proud of every art project I did and marveled at each of them, even when it just mixing the perfect color for rust. He taught me basic skills for home renovation and put them to the test on his own home.
Most importantly, my grandpa cared deeply about my moral and spiritual development. We would sit for hours discussing what I believed in and how I thought things should be, and he would never push his opinions on me. He would offer me guidance, but never to hinder my own path of self-growth. Days before I headed off to report to Beast Barracks at the United States Military Academy, my grandpa sat me down to talk about faith. This time in a much different respect than before. He wanted to make sure I believed in something. He truly felt that if I believed in something, I would never be alone and could always find the strength I would need to make it through any tribulations I may face. Every year, I find his words to be truer.
I have so many memories I want to share with everyone, because my only regret now is that I never got to introduce him to everyone in my life. I wish you all could have known him and in the manner I had. I am thankful that so much of him lives on through me and my brothers. I am thankful that my parents made him an integral part of my life because he has been the best mentor and influence I could have ever hoped for. I am thankful I got to video chat with him from Portland, OR while he was at the hospital in Portland, ME because that was our last conversation before he unexpectedly passed away. I will always miss him.