Today we formally said goodbye to my grandfather; we saw him off with military honors at the cemetery yesterday. I’ve found the loss hard to contextualize to others for two reasons: first, while I acknowledge he was 95 at the time of his passing and we should all be so lucky to make it to our ninth decade on earth, until very recently he was still the most vibrant, charismatic, curious and engaged man you could hope for. Secondly, and more importantly, I realize now more than ever that my relationship with him was not typical for grandfather and grandson. I had him in my life for over 34 years. He cared for me through my childhood and truly helped raise me. He was my mother and aunt’s father and having never had a son of his own, I think I benefited greatly from being his opportunity to have son-like bond as his only grandson. Similarly, with all due respect to the rest of my family members, he was arguably my favorite. We had a unique kinship. I can’t put into words all of the things I’m grateful to him for, but he shaped so much of who I am and I feel temporarily broken without him. #alfredsamper https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs12Ye6nVeSbWanBF_-uXmeRAQ2kKXrFga4hF80/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cxfpmhbpen1b