**Until We Meet Again**

I hope today is simply just another Wednesday in September for y’all and does not hold any unpleasant and heartbreaking memories. Unfortunately, this is a day that changed my entire life and even my worldly views on life, empathy, love, compassion, sympathy, equality, death, and so much more. Many times, traumatizing events we deal with in life can have a long-lasting impact on the rest of our life and it can be incredibly emotional and painful.

It was late in the afternoon on this day seven years ago when my entire world was flipped upside down and changed forever. My husband and I were preparing for my birthday and our anniversary vacation; the two are back to back. I was just leaving the tanning salon and was still in the parking lot when my phone rang. I do not speak much to my family on either side and really only talked with my grandfather, so when the call from my uncle came, it was very unusual. I did always adore my uncle, but life always got in the way.

This call completely and totally shook my heart, mind, and soul deep within its core. I heard the words my uncle spoke so gently, but I do not think his words registered right away because he was telling me that my dear sweet grandfather passed away. In my mind my grandfather, whom I called Poppy hung the moon and walked on water and even though I knew he was battling with cancer, he was supposed to live forever. I could not then and still struggle with imagining a world without him in it because he made everything, including the world so much better.

Over the years, my Poppy taught me so much and for that I am eternally thankful and a better person because of him. He was a man that treated everyone fairly and equally. He never judged a person based on the color of their skin or who they loved because love was really all that matter and skin color never mattered. This is the way things should be and for some reason in 2020 still are not.

A great memory of my Poppy that I have is the car rides with him. Normally, this was when he picked me up from my mother and we would visit the family. There was a song he would sing along with and I loved the sound of his beautiful and unique voice. The song he would sing along with was “Seven Spanish Angels” by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson.www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8A9Y1Dq_cQ&ab_channel=WillieNelsonVEVO This song will never be sang the same or feel the same as it did when my Poppy sang it. I hope this link works right so y’all can hear the song!

Something I will always remember is a little more than one month before my birthday, my Poppy called to wish me a happy birthday. At the time it did not dawn on me, but I think he somehow he knew he was not going to still be around for my birthday and wanted to do what he had done for 32 years and wish me a happy birthday. I wish I realized this back then, but it is too late now. I just hope he never doubted how much I loved and admired him and always will.

Although we lived in different states and were miles apart, I loved our phone calls we would have on my drive home from work. I would tell him about my day and ask about his. He would tell me the latest information about the rest of the family and I would ask him to send them my love, which I know he always did. I miss his voice and the reassuring way he had to make even the worst situations bearable.

I know seven years is a long time and I have had many years to heal, but the loss still feels so fresh. Losing someone as special and loving as my Poppy leaves a hole in your heart and it does not mend easily.

My only hope is that my Poppy and my angel watching over me is proud of the person I am today. I hope he is proud of how immensely passionate I am and how much I will defend my beliefs. I am strong and stand by what I feel strongly about and do not back down to anyone and never allow anyone to sway my thoughts in their direction. I feel the need to stand up for people that are not able to stand up for themselves, which is something I know he would be proud of. Like my Poppy, I treat others equally and with respect. I have never and never will judge another based on things that do not matter like skin color, religious beliefs, race, those they love or anything else because in my eyes we are all human-beings. Love is important and it does not matter who you love as long as you love and not hate.

I will spend the rest of my life doing what I think Poppy would have done. I will always strive to make him proud so when we meet again he will welcome me with open arms and never stop being proud of who I am and what I stand for.

Thank you for visiting my site today. This was probably one of the most difficult posts I have written in a while because I miss my Poppy more than words can ever explain. He was a hero, an idol, someone you could always count on when others disappointed you, and he was a loving man with heart of gold. I do appreciate you taking the time to read this and hope you have a good day. Please remember to stay safe always. Also, please never forget that I am always sending y’all LOTS of love, comfort, support, and many positive vibes!

Always, Alyssa