It doesn’t seem quite right that a full 18 years has passed since my grandparents passed away due to a car crash caused by a drunk driver. The trauma and pain of that evening seems some close, but far away. I  still have vivid memories from that time frame, but I try not to dwell on them much. 

Instead I like to remember the everyday memories with them. We were lucky to have grandparents that we saw on a fairly regular basis and an extended family of cousins that made family events a whole affair. I have recipes that I cook to honor my grandma and time in the kitchen feels like the best way to honor her memory. Saturday mornings I can still hear the faint rocking chairs and talking between my grandpa and mom. I dream of a front porch one day where my mom can come over and we can share coffee and talk of the world. I have his hard hat hanging in my office. 

There are some things that I wish I could have though. I wish I could just talk to them and learn of their life directly from them. They led such interesting lives, but I hadn’t hit the age where I understood the importance of learn family history directly from family. Luckily we have a whole family who can share their stories. 

While the world today is filled with uncertainty, love your people a little extra. Learn about them a bit more. Create memories you want to carry with you. 

RIP DLD & IPD