My Dearest Pepop.

My Dearest Pepop-

I never really believed that you touched a star. When I first walked into your house I was already nine years old and cynical enough to realize it was only glitter stuck to an old glove. My new cousins didn’t take kindly to my dismissing of their grandfather’s legend, they had grown up enamored by the story, but I knew it couldn’t possibly be the truth.
“I’m not trying to be mean Xavier, but it’s physically impossible for someone to touch a star!”
“No it’s not! Pepop did it, I swear! Just ask him!”
As they each got older I’m sure they silently came to terms with the reality of the matter, but still held the story close as a testament to the great things their grandfather had accomplished. I, on the other hand, never had that legend to hold on to and so it was from a different perspective that I learned what kind of man you are.

Two weeks ago, as I stood in our kitchen with my traveling backpack, you told me about your days hitchhiking around the US. Though it is a stretch of my imagination to picture you with your thumb out on the side of a highway, in the years I’ve spent as your grandson I’ve learned to believe. Every time I hear a new story my perception of you changes. Wow, he really did that? On top of all those other things? What else is there? I know that in my few years I haven’t even scratched the surface of what there is to learn from you and your experiences, your adventures, your accomplishments, and that there are still stories that would make touching the stars seem cold by comparison.

But playing the role of family idol isn’t what makes you the man that you are. Still seeming larger than life, you manage to be a loving husband, father, grandfather to everyone in this family and it’s those warm, nurturing qualities that allow us to be so close to you. That allow me to look up at you as a kind of hero but still knowing that there is comfort in your arms.

To me, living a life with a wife whom you love and a family that loves you seems like a life lived in simple joy. Every life has its hard times but with a family surrounding you, ready to give everything to help you through, the pain is always easier. What you have is beautiful Pepop, and I can only hope that I, one day, will be surrounded by the same love that surrounds you. That I can create a family as beautiful and diverse and supporting as you have and still maintain a place that they can all call home.

Like I said, there is still so much I haven’t had the chance to learn from you and I’m looking forward to every lesson. Thank you so much Pepop, for everything you’ve given to me and to this family. I love you.

-Thomas Michael Sanchez