KB9XR

My grandpa passed away last week. I never had anyone close to me die before then, so I really didn’t know how to handle it. It made me look at life with a new perspective. When I tell people that he’s gone, they always ask, “Were you close to him?” I always reply, “yes.” He was the coolest. I have so many great memories of him: taking me up north to the cottage; teaching me how to shoot a BB rifle; taking me out for pizza at Woodbine; teaching me how to golf; showing me how his ham radio works. “W9DYO, W9DYO. This is KB9XR mobile.” Now that he’s gone, I look back and really appreciate how kind, funny and loving he was. Him leaving us made me realize that I need to appreciate and spend more time with my family now, while they’re still around; while I’m still around. I can’t count how many times after coming back from a visit home I’ve said that I’m going to keep in better contact with my family. Unfortunately, I’ve never followed through with it. I’ve realized now this is my family. They’ve always been there for me. And losing one of those people creates a pain in my heart that I can’t even explain. My grandpa had a good life, and a ton of friends and family who miss him dearly. He didn’t know when his time was up. None of us do. But with that in mind I am going to live life to the fullest from now on. I’m going to appreciate everything around me. Death is weird. It’s something that you know happens to everyone some day. But when it actually happens it gives you a sense of your own mortality and makes you react in a way that alters your entire state of being. I miss you, grandpa. But I know you’re up there somewhere, playing a round of golf and talking to Elvis on your ham radio. KB9XR, signing off.