DigitalSloth

Seems almost cliche that the first entry under the category 'Life' would be titled 'Death', but the reason for this posting is in regards to the passing of my grandfather on my dad's side of the family.

I never really knew the man, as my father's side of the family is not particularly close.  I haven't seen my cousins or uncles in decades, and only recently saw my grandparents within the last couple of years after being out of contact for ages.

What does it mean, really?  His life and death.  I would guess for a lot of people losing a grandparent is a rather significant event.  They've been there for holidays, birthdays, reunions, graduations, etc.  This particular grandfather has been little more than a name attached to a rough memory tucked away in a dusty closet somewhere in my mind.  Yet still I feel loss, and that's why I'm filing this post under 'Life'.  I believe, despite the lack of direct personal interaction with him, my grandfather's life is significantly impactful on my own.  Obviously there's an indirect impact through my relationship with my own father, but I'm talking about something more significant.  Whether it's spiritual, purely biological, or some combination of the two, his life has profound implications not just on myself but others as well.  I feel it more than I know or understand it.

Perhaps I'm more moved not by the passing of a relationship, but for the passing of one that never was.