Family and faith are the things that I think of when I think about my grandfather. Even though he was a man of few words, he always made me feel special and he was always there for me when I needed him. So it was one of the hardest decisions in my life to leave him and start my own family in Canada.

Never in my life would I have imagined that the world could change so much in just a few years. The impact of the pandemic did not hit me until I received bad news that my grandfather had cancer. I had never had any regrets in my life prior to this, but then the regrets started to come down like an avalanche.

I never felt so much pain; to be told that I was going to lose him but that I could not go be with him. I told myself I should have never left and then maybe he could have held my son in his arms for the first time. But even though his body was failing him, my grandfather still made sure to let me know that he was okay because God was with him.

Despite the distance, he cared for my children the way I remember him caring about me when I was a child. Technology brought us closer and he found ways to keep in touch with us embracing the internet, smartphones, and video calls. Haley and Sean would be so excited every day waiting for that call from their great grandfather who they loved.

My grandfather was a proud man, one that rarely let his feelings show and so it was difficult for those who cared about him to see his true self. Despite his flaws, he had the respect of his family and I was proud to be his grandson. Toward the end of his life, he wished that his whole family could one day reunite in the Kingdom of God so I will never give up hope that I will one day see him again. I love you, Grandpa.

Vincent