Today, I touched the only reminder I have of you. A grave
marker which reads: Thornton C. Highfield. Alabama. SSMB2. USNR. World War II.
Your body remains just out of reach but your soul has been lost to me. You have
never known of the deep ache in my soul to put my hand in yours. To feel the
calluses from years of hard work. You will never see the tears forming in the
crevices of my eyes as I wonder what your stories of a distant war and of
country mountain would be. You have never known the smiles of those who would
have called you grandpa. You have never felt the love your children have for
their families and their God. A love you sowed in their lives. I long to know
what crawling up into your lap would have been like. To feel even for a moment
the warmth your strong arms would have brought around me as a child. To know
the safety of a grandfather’s arms. 50 years. 50 years you have been gone from
this earth. A lifetime without a father, husband, and grandfather. So long have
I craved to hear you laugh and see the twinkle of joy in your eyes. How many
times has my spirit dreamt of the pride you would have in the amazing
accomplishments of your children and grandchildren. Each of us carries your
love as a legacy that despite your imperfections and human nature, you chose to
love. So much of my heart is bound in deep love for you and yet my eyes have
never see more than a picture of you. What a special man you were. A man of
whom I am proud to call my grandfather and thankful for all his lessons I am
learning through my father. I simply end with this, Grandpa from now until the
day we finally meet, your love will I carry in my heart.
