My grandfather passed away on Saturday, roughly around 8:00pm Alaska time. His wife, my grandmother, preceded him two to three years ago. I like to imagine she came to retrieve him; like to imagine she nodded her head and said something like, "I come all this way just to find you lying down? Come on, lover boy! Let's get this show on the road."

M was in our lives in one capacity or another for almost 40 years. Church leader, coach, scout master, chiropractor... the list goes on and on. He cared for us like we were his own children, and when my dad remarried M's eldest daughter, M put on his grandpa shoes without a hitch in his step.

I never knew someone who was so passionate about the blending of self-reliance with caring for those who could not and/or had not. He loved everyone unconditionally, and treated everyone like they were family. He showed me that kindness was key to living a good life, that showing empathy and compassion was never a waste of effort or energy. M once told me to never be afraid of letting someone know you care, because you never know if you'll ever have that chance again.

Family was the most important thing in his life. More than work, more than his military service, more than anything on earth, heaven, or hell, the love and dedication he had for his wife, kids, and grandchildren was beyond compare. And for those outside his immediate who were considered family, you could count on having having an unstoppable force of good and quiet strength on your side, and an immovable foundation or hope and kindness and peace upon which you could rest and collect yourself; a bastion away from thebchaos of the world.

I will sorely miss this amazing, humble man. Travel well to wherever you will, my dear friend. Thank you for all that you taught me, and may we one day meet again on the other side.