A Grandfather's Legacy

      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.