Dear Luki,

Even though it’s 10:30 p.m. on the eve of our trip to Venezuela and I haven’t finished packing yet, I made a commitment to write these letters every week and I’m sticking to it! Thankfully, your stuff has been packed for about a week on account of your father, the lieutenant of timeliness, productivity and efficiency. (That’s why today you were wearing a pair of size six month pants as shorts, all your good clothes are tucked away in a suitcase.)

Anyway, here are some things I want you to know about your grandpa this week:

1. The first time I went to Venezuela, your other grandpa (your daddy’s dad) was very sick. Before I left, your grandpa (my dad) casually, but seriously, reminded me to be nice. Simple advice, but it was important because sometimes — and I really think I’ve gotten better since becoming your mom — I’m not that nice to other people. I can be selfish and self-absorbed, I’ll admit it. Anyway, the moment I saw your dad’s dad, I started crying. And I’m not typically a crier, but he looked really weak and frail, and I felt so much compassion for him and the rest of his family in that moment! I don’t know if my reaction had anything to do with what my dad said to me before I left, but I remember thinking, later, that the way I felt about my future husband’s family during that first visit to their home would have made him proud.

2. Your grandma bought you a pair of Crocs this week. I really hope that when you read this in the future Crocs no longer exist, because they are the ugliest shoes in the history of mankind. However! You have hamburger shaped feet and they are the only shoes we can put on them without the endeavor turning into a wrestling match that can only be won (sometimes) if both your father and I take you on. Anyway, she was telling me that it really surprised her that a pair of tiny children’s shoes made of a Styrofoam-like material set her back $27. But then she said, “It’s whatever. Just like your dad used to say, it’s not like you can put the $27 on his feet.” And I laughed. And I thought it was important for you to hear about this. Because you can’t put money on your feet. You can’t put it in your belly. You can’t live inside money or go on vacation to it. So you might as well spend it, even if it’s on really ugly shoes.

3. Since your grandpa’s been gone, I tend to always ask myself what he would do or say in the situations I encounter. Two days ago, your grandma lost her cell phone and when she called (from a stranger’s phone) to tell me, she seemed really upset. Initially, I was upset too. I mean, losing a cell phone these days is like losing an appendage. But after a little while, I thought about how your grandpa would react and knew exactly what he would have said: “Eh, more was lost in the war, it’s no big deal.” And it isn’t, Luki. In the grand scheme of things cell phones and Crocs and unpacked suitcases the night before vacation are no big deal. Being nice, showing compassion, remembering those who deeply impacted your life — those are the things that matter. The people in your life are the biggest deal of all. Always remember that.

Love,

Mom