“A year to the day, my grandpa lost his life. But on the way, won the world’s most amazing wife, beautiful kids, and spectacular grandkids.” – Arjun Seth 

My grandparents are the reason my family is so close. People always look at me funny when I talk about my multiple brothers and sisters. They’ll say, “Wait…I thought you only had one older sister. I’m confused.”

But that’s exactly what I mean. Growing up, my grandparents never created that discrepancy between my cousins and my sister. We were all brothers and sisters. That’s how it was when I was 2 years old and that’s how it is now. There were 7 of us. He called us his “saptarishi,” which means the seven great sages in Indian mythology. And he was our “sabkananu,” meaning everyone’s grandfather (<—-he actually had an e-mail address: sabkananu@yahoo.com). And a cell phone. Yup, he knew how to adapt. 

I know he’s still with us every day – that death does not end a relationship between people. But I do miss his presence.

I miss walking into the house knowing he’s right there, sitting on his chair (it will always and forever be his chair), waiting for us.

I miss hearing him say, “Vaya con dios” (<—-”Go with God”) every single time  someone left the house.

I miss the way he believed in me – that he was one of the few people that supported my decision to go into education. He used to say “I could imagine those little kids just running after you…just trailing after you. You have the patience of a saint.” Nobody else made me feel the way he did. Nobody else made me feel confident the way that he did. 

I miss the way I would hear a rustling in the kitchen when he thought nobody was home….because he was trying to sneak some chocolate or cookies while nobody was watching.

I miss when we’d go grocery shopping – he loved a good bargain. Would buy 55 boxes of cereal if they were on sale.  And I loved the way he told the person at the register (every single time…without fail) how grateful he is for his grandchildren.

It’s gotten easier with time…but some days it hits me harder than others. Like there’s a big weight on my chest and it’s really hard to breathe. Today is one of those days.

He really is “Sab Ka Nanu” – everyone’s grandfather. People everywhere love him and respect him. So many people came to his ceremony last year – people that I had never met, but people he had touched in some way and left a lasting impression on. The things that were said during the speeches or conversations gave me goosebumps – the fact that one person can affect so many.

That one person can change so many lives. 

That was my grandpa. Mine. And everyone’s.