I never got to meet Tony in the regular way that people meet other people. But I have heard him in the laughs around a dinner table. The snarky comment of a sister to her brother, him dishing it right back, the rest of them egging them on, and then drinks all around. And I'm pretty sure I've seen him in the mirror when I've pushed myself a little too hard, worked a little too much, expected more of myself than anyone else expected of me. At least I think.
What I know for certain, though, is that he is here in my cleft chin. In my crooked index finger. In my surprise photo smirk. Yes, yes, and yes. But most importantly, aside from all those very real things, it is in my most treasured talent, the much coveted single eyebrow raise, that I can see the grandpa I never knew.
Describe a talent or flaw that seems to be in your genes. |
Grandpa looks like a swell guy ;) You'll meet him someday!
ReplyDeleteThis just made me smile =)
ReplyDeleteOh, what a nice tribute!
ReplyDeletestopping by from Mama Kat's
very well written. :)
ReplyDeletefound you through mamakat :)
What a great post about your grandfather! You seem very proud to have come from his lineage. Those must have been great stories told around the table.
ReplyDeleteCool...what a great way to paint the picture of a legacy...!! Good job!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Mama Kat's
Aww so sweet. I've never met any of my grandparents. I wish I knew more about them but I only have ever seen one photo of my paternal grandparents and just a few of my maternal ones and nobody talks about them very often. I just know they were strong people.
ReplyDeleteaw, what a wonderful, sweet post of your grandpa! I love it, you have a cleft in your chin? My hubs and all his brothers (5 boys counting the hubs) all of them have the cleft...none of our girls have it but, my little 10 month old grandson does! :) Also, I love that you can raise the one eyebrow...my dad could do that, and when he was mad and we were in trouble that eyebrow would go up...I can do it too and so can one of my nieces...fun, fun post to read this tonight...love it and love you!
ReplyDeleteI love the pic. It looks like Tony was a cool dude...glad you inherited something cool like eyebrow raising from him - I can't do that!
ReplyDeleteAin't genetics grand? The things that we inherit from never known relatives...
ReplyDelete@melody- Haha! Thank you! My cleft is not nearly as pronounced as his, but gets more noticeable if I'm pursing my lips or thinking really hard. His sons definitely have it more :)
ReplyDeleteLove your tribute to your grandpa. So glad you're doing the workshop! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAww, that was so nice! And I think I'd like to meet him, his smile is contagious!
ReplyDeleteYour wors are wonderfully chosen and I just meet you, well, your blog and I am so glad I did. Found you through Mama Kat.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly sweet post!:)
ReplyDeleteThis is a very touching tribute. I love how you wrote it, and it made me think of my own grandpa that I never met but have heard so much about through stories. Stories are some of the most treasurable memories we can have!
ReplyDeleteI love this. Old photos are so beautiful and fascinating to me. I'm so glad you can see so much of your grandpa in yourself.
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching tribute to your grandpa. Even though you never knew him, clearly you know him. It's interesting how quirks and distinct physical characteristics are passed down through the generations.
ReplyDeleteWe're a family of eye-rollers, not a good trait, especially in a classroom.
Part Tony, part The Rock.
ReplyDeleteI want to see this eyebrow raise...
I second the motion to see this eyebrow raise. Sweet tribute.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say... that I got dweej all up in my inbox. yo... :D
ReplyDeleteSimple and beautiful Dwija. I love the photo.
ReplyDeleteVery clever way to commemorate a loved one, especially one you've never met!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your grandpa!
ReplyDeleteI love it! So beautifully written; you created such a vivid picture in so few words. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! I often wonder what traits I've picked up from relatives I never knew, especially since I never met my great-grandmother who's my namesake. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHow perfect, Dweej. I love this tribute to your grandfather. I'm told I'm a lot like my Papa, whom I never knew...although, sometimes it feels like I did know him, just from the stories and the characteristics I'm told I share with him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this...made me smile and tear up a little at the same time. :)
That is so sweet, Katie! We're like our papas :)
ReplyDeleteDweej, I loved this. Très élégant. I LOVE your super-duper-multi-faceted talent for writing! Is there any genre you can't conquer?
ReplyDeleteBTW your adorable Grandpa Tony does bear a startling resemblance to the lovely Dwija. He was so cute!!
I think family traits - most especially the physical ones - are one of God's little ways of helping each generation feel just a bit more connected to those who have gone before... and those to come.
Dweej this is so sweet, if your grandfather could see this I'm sure he would be giving you a big hug right now : D
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute smile your Grandpa has. This is such a sweet tribute to your Papa.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely tribute. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet. I hope my kids grow up knowing their Grandpa as well as you know yours.
ReplyDeleteWow- this is great!
ReplyDeleteI love it. Very fun insight in to your Grandfather and you. Is he working at a jewelry repair or jewelry store? He looks all sly.
ReplyDeleteFantastic.
Love the writers challenge. I'll have to check it out. I could probably write a book about my inherited ability to find the horrible in the best of situations, it's really a gift. I am constantly trying to control it but it really wants to come out of me every time I am getting excited about something or someone shares with me their good news. "You won a million dollars! Well...I bet you have to pay a lot in taxes."
I'm super fun.