The letter…
lying on the table next to an orange highlighter amongst other items caught his eye as he walked to the kitchen for the first cup of coffee. What was it? It wasn’t there last night. Curios, he picked it up and read a heartfelt, honest letter filled with raw love and emotion from a young boy, his son, my grandson to the man he knew as his Tutu Chef, myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope.
He took a photo and sent it to me in a text. I took a moment to read this letter, and tears began to fall over my cheeks onto my phone. My son and I talked about a child’s perspective, as he remembers well the feelings when his very own father left this world. He said, all children look up to adults from the physical perspective because they are small and we are tall, but when that is compounded with love and admiration, looking up takes on a completely different perspective.
myDarlin’ was the only Grandpa, ahem Tutu Chef, that they have ever known. He was the one who would stay with the kids when everyone had to work, who would leave work to go pick them up from school if they were sick when no one else could, who played ‘Who would win’ ‘Batman or Superman’, played music with them and so on, and so on. He didn’t give in and give the boys candy, or let them play computer games all day. And he loved all of his grandchildren, all the same.
...a love that cannot be measured – or can it?
He ended the letter with ‘Love Always, Elijah’. ‘Love Always’; a common phrase for many of us, but not so for him. For he is 8, and simply loves being 8 because rolled over sideways, it is the symbol for infinity. And he wants his name to be ‘Infinity Boy’. Me too Elijah, me too, but you need to grow up to ‘Make the world a better place.’ #MTWABP
He wants to send this letter to his Tutu Chef in heaven, just to see how’s he’s doing, to see if he’s still playing in the band and having parties. And dear Elijah while you write your letter, when your cousins blow kisses to Tutu in heaven, and your brother claims Hawaiian as his heritage – your Tutu is with all of you, watching over you, encouraging you and praying for you.
myLord, today I am grateful for the love, care and positive influence myDarlin’ had for our grandsons. And myDarlin’, your legacy lives with your grandsons’ determination, loyalty, hard work, inquisitive nature and kind spirit. And I know you’ve read the letter already and know that all of us love you – ALWAYS.
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