The Idea of Progress Will Return Soon

I was woken up on Sunday morning with the news that my grandfather had passed away. Some of you have lost loved ones at some point in your life; I've lost a great aunt a few years ago, but my grandfather was the closest relative who has passed.

He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for a couple of years now. I rarely saw him--he lives (lived) in Pittsburgh, and I'm in Chicago--perhaps once a year or so. One visit I saw him and he was fine. I later learned that he had shown symptoms of Alzheimer's. The next time I saw him he was quieter, more withdrawn. The visit after that he was barely there at all.

I'll be seeing him for the last time tomorrow.

I'm not here to write a eulogy for the man. He was a good man, and well loved. That's all any of us could ask for on this earth. When I die, if I'm remembered the same way, I'll be pleased with that.

I'm in Pittsburgh right now, and I don't know if I'll be able to write again before I return. Do me a favor, though. Today or tomorrow, do something nice for someone. Hold open a door. Say 'bless you' when someoen sneezes. Let someone make a left turn out of a parking lot.

I'll consider that a tribute to my Grandpa Sam.