Comforting Memories

Got the news yesterday that Grandpa was about ready to go.  My kids all started crying.  To comfort them, I started to tell them some of my favorite memories of Grandpa.
He taught me how to cook a hot dog over the fire.  He was very serious about it.  Told me that you got to make it sweat, and it needs to be black on the outside or it won't taste right.
I have many, many memories of following him around as he "puttered" in the garden.  From the time I was very little, until just a few years ago, he and I would walk around in his garden and he would teach me about plants, proper watering, and fertilizer techniques.  I got my love of gardening from him.
When I was in college and would come visit the grandparents, I caught him several times out checking the tire pressure in my tires and my oil levels.  He would get after me if I caught him.  That's the kind of man he is/was.  He never sought praise or recognition.  He was a gentleman, and service oriented.
I loved combing through his rows of books.  I loved watching him read, and later listening to Gma read to him when his eyesight got too bad.  He showed me by example that he loved learning and that it should be a lifelong pursuit..
I remember sitting next to him and watching in wonder and awe at his flying fingers as he played the piano.  I had a favorite song, but didn't know the name until I heard it in high school.  When I did, I immediately recognized it and learned that it was known as the "Flight of the Bumblebee".  Every time I hear it, it takes me back to when I was so young and sitting next to Gpa watching him play.
I grew up loving to watch Gma and Gpa interact with each other.  Such love, honor, and respect between them.  Gpa always took care of Gma, and Gma took care of Gpa.  Their love story is one for the history books, and something that we can look to and try to emulate.
I told my kids that Gpa is a superhero. He lived a life that he can be proud of, and one that we can learn so many lessons from.  What a noble heritage he has left us with.  He makes me want to be a better person, so I can strive to be worthy to call myself his granddaughter.  I feel so blessed to have been taught by him, and to have been loved by him.