A Classic.

I wrote this a few years ago about my Grandfather. I was always curious about his life and thoughts. His sadness remained a mystery until his death and that hurts me. I would have loved to have acknowledged him more. I feel his presence often, mostly when I am on vacation. I feel like he was an adventurous soul and when I hear classical music I smile.  Enjoy. 

A Classic, Remembered.

Christmas season was always my favorite time of the year. The tree would be up and presents overflowed.

More importantly the whole family would be together. Abuelito always seemed to be in the background, but his presence was always near.

Beethoven was always on; I mimicked him and went to sleep to all the classics playing gently in my ear.

While everyone was talking, gossiping of all the current events, he always found the best spot in the house.

With a book in hand, he ventured to distant lands. He spoke of great men, of minds that knew so much before their time.

I would watch him, ever so discreetly, trying to sneak into the hidden world.

I remember sitting with him, too young to know how to read, but I would pretend I was reading, just to be near.

We sat in silence, elbow-to-elbow, piano playing melancholy melodies, my heart so utterly content to live in this world.

I always felt we understood one another, without any words.

It was comforting and beautiful. It was my peace.

We would at times speak of politics or current events. I made him laugh when I found the opportunity, but mostly we sat, and that’s where our love was found.

How much I will miss his gentle smile.

He wasn’t outwardly emotional, but he loved with all he could. This was his way.

 I watched him many times look at his children, his beautiful wife and his grandkids, he appreciated all the chaos and perfection we were… that we are.

He was a man filled with the knowledge of many lands, an ear filled with classic tunes, and a man that created a family with so much Love.

He lived life his way, never conforming to what he ‘should’ do.

May we honor him by living our lives to our own music, our own original melody.

As Beethoven said, “Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable, develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning”.

With love and gratitude, may we keep his music, his heart, live-forever on.