Forward:
I write. It's what I do. It's not what I do for a living. It's what I do for living.
I mostly write fiction. Once in a while, something strikes me
so strongly that I feel the need to write non-fiction, usually in the form of
an essay. The last time this occurred
was
When I write, the words usually pour from me. I may go weeks, or even months between stories, but when one comes to me, it is usually written in a matter of hours. Essays are usually even easier. Aside from doing a little research, they flow through me and onto the page with ease. With essays, I never have my usual difficulty with the first few lines or paragraphs.
This time, I seemed to not be able to start. Perhaps it is because I am not ready to say good-bye. Perhaps it is because I am not as angry as I usually get when I write essays. I don't know. What I do know is that I lost one of the most influential people in my life the other day and that, in my opinion, needs to be written down. I need to say the things that I am feeling and that I know others are feeling.
I hope this helps others in the family, or outside the family who were fortunate enough to call John Svendor "Friend".
Grampa's Legacy:
My grandfather was one of the strongest, kindest, most gentle men that I know. His generosity and humanitarianism was felt my all who knew him. His love for his family and those around him was always felt and he was one of those men who said it often and showed it in everything he did.
John Svendor was born on
Almost a year ago, I moved back to
The day before his birthday, I spent several hours with him. One week before his death, my friend and I had dinner with him and Julia. I am so glad that we did. My friend got to meet him and see what a remarkable man he was.
My grandfather succeeded in everything he set out to do. At sixteen years old, he walked into Shatterproof Glass Corporation and got a job polishing glass. Fifty-four years later, he walked out. He retired as Vice Chairman of the Board and Vice President of Manufacturing. A true Cinderella story if I ever heard one.
He had a loving marriage for 45 years, with my grandmother Valentine. He had three sons, John, Gerald and Timothy, or, as most of you know them, Pug, Jerry and Tim. All three grew up to be successful men in their own rights. Due, no doubt, to their father.
Those three sons gave John seven grand children. Pug's kids, Johnny, Shawn, Heather, and Wendy, Jerry's daughter, Stacy, myself, and Tim's sons, Timmy and Jason. We are all strong and successful adults now, either making our way in life and our careers, or finishing up school to do just that. Grampa's Legacy has passed on to us. Just as we are, or will be passing it down to our own children.
I cannot say how Grampa has touched the other grandchildren's lives, but I can say how he has touched mine. If not for my grandfather, I would not be where I am today. With his love and support, I was able to go back to college and obtain my bachelor's degree. With his belief in me, I was able to go on for my Master's degree and begin my career.
With his words of encouragement, even after having his first stroke, I was able to come back after my accident with a new lease on life and a new desire to be reach for the stars. It was because of his legacy that I realized that I was stronger than I ever believed possible.
The loss of an eye is completely different from the loss of a wife. But there are some similarities. In both cases, a part of you is missing. But, my grandfather proved that life can go on and be just as fulfilling. It can make you stronger, if you let it. After my accident, I thought a lot about what I had lost. Grampa, and Grampa's Legacy in the form of my father and others in my family helped me realize that life goes on. Nothing can get you down if you do not let it.
After losing my grandmother, life went on for Grampa. A little over three years later, he married Julia. Oh, was I mad. I sang at their wedding. Only one song, because I had the flu and was crying too hard to do much more. I was not ready for Julia to come into my life, or into his. But later, I realized what a wonderful addition she and her family made to our clan.
Julia made the next 13 years of my grandfather's life happy. For that, I thank her deeply. And I thank him for giving us the chance to be a part of hers. And it is good to know that his legacy has another branch to go down with Julia's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Many years from now, the name John S. Svendor will be a distant memory. Our descendants will, likely, only know the name from an entry in the family tree. But, Grampa's Legacy will live on in them. Whether they recognize it as his legacy or not, has yet to be determined. But it will be his legacy. Of that, I am certain.
So, thank you, Grampa. For the gift of your legacy. And thank you for the chance to know you and be loved by you. I am who I am today, due in part, to you and your legacy.
Jó éjszakát, Nagyapa. Szeretlek. Te vagy szívem mélyén, mindörökké
Goodnight, Grampa. I love you. You are in my heart, forever.
Stacy Svendor.