July 16, 2009

I have been spending some time with my grandfather and it’s been a really great experience. My grandfather is from the Netherlands and he’s 86 years old. I’ve been learning a lot about the importance of family and about getting older.

He had to go for an operation two weeks ago. It was a small and routine procedure, but he was really nervous about it. He didn’t really have a good experience with the last one he had and ended up really sick. With him getting so old, it’s harder for him to get better from being sick. I was glad to be there with him though, I think it meant a lot.

Being young, I sometimes take it for granted that I will get older. I get so busy in my life and I forget sometimes to check in with my grandfather. He tells me he gets bored a lot. He reads books, does puzzles, goes on day trips, goes out on his boat, things like that, which is good – but I think he thinks I don’t think about him. Really it’s the opposite. I should write more often and I should go visit more often. I like hanging out with him. He’s a really funny guy and knows a lot and I don’t know how much more time I will get to just sit and talk. So, I’m going to try and get better at keeping in touch. Even just to say hello.

- Jocelyn Fromsma