August 15, 2001.
It was the day my whole world came crashing down on me. A whole part of me went away. This person I considered my other half. He was my second father. He was my best friend. He was what made me look forward to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. He made me want to go to Kroger’s any minute there was to spare. Going to the dry cleaners with him was what is now I call the best time ever. I never really knew what I had in front of me till he left. I never really knew myself on how much I enjoyed his company till he left. I would do anything to have him back. I miss putting on his shoes for him. Giving hugs that wouldn’t end for minutes because I loved him so much. He was what brought out my smiles through my hard times in life. He was my other half. He always had sushi and Popsicles with me every Sunday afternoon. He would go to Kroger’s, and do our grocery shopping and out all of his pocket change into the money collector. After that we would go drop off his clothes at the dry cleaners while I sat in the car listening to the oldie’s. Driving down 1960 FM we would sing any song that would come on the radio that we would know. Finally arriving home. We unload and put away the groceries and relax together, telling jokes, and smiling, and hugging. He put the biggest smiles on my face that I could ask for.

This amazing person that I speak of is my grandfather. Jules John Hunyadi. He found out one day at a just a doctor’s check up that he had cancer in the lungs and brain. Not knowing as a little girl what “really sick” was I thought it was a flu or something.

One day, helping him pack (not knowing he was leaving that day) I asked him where he was going. He told me he was going to Hungary to get fixed for being sick. I go into the kitchen with him to help him put on his socks and shoes the very last time, he picked me up by my chin and told me:
“You are a good girl. Please, stay this way for your father. I will miss you putting on my shoes. I love you very much dear. Szertelek.”
Not knowing why he said these meaningful words I smile and tell him I love him too, and gave him the biggest hug I have ever given him right there and then.

After dropping him off at the airport, giving him my last hug and kiss, my last goodbye and I love you. I get into the car with my dad to look and see him cry. We pull over to the side of the road not really knowing what was happening around me. My father looks over to me and asks me if I really know what was going on. My father telling me this may be the last time I see him, I join him with my tears. I show my grief with my father.

A month or two, not really wanting to think about my grandfather leaving me, I get awoken in the early morning of August 15, 2001 of my father at the end of my bedpost with tears in his eyes. Knowing somehow, without him informing me I launch into my father’s arms crying over my grandfather who passed away. My other half, my second father, my best friend has left me. Knowing I can’t, and wont ever see him again I sat and cried there. Still today, even typing this, I sit and weep to myself not wanting anyone around me want to hear. I just wish I could rewind time to just sit in his lap again. To go back to Kroger’s and fight over whether the stuffed anmial was a bear or a dog (which was a bear). I miss him so much where it still hurts today. Where I wish I could hear “Candy time!” one more time.

I loved him so much. I can’t imagine how it is for my father. If my papa was a second/half father to me.. he was my dad’s full father to him.

R.I.P. Papa.. Szeretelek..