By the time this is read, I will be on a plane to Washington DC but I assure you that my spirit is with everyone here. I regret not being able to attend this affair due to prior arrangements but I was asked to write a short memorial in honor of my grandpa. Several people suggested that I write a poem. I thought long and hard about what to write but I realized that if I wrote a poem, my mind would be focused more on the rhyming and style rather than the actual meaning behind the poem. As I sit here thinking about what to write, I realized that no words can describe what my grandpa meant to me. He will forever live in my memory and serve as an inspiration to work hard. When I think about this situations, I am filled with regret for not visiting my grandpa more frequently. I remember the tears I had as a kid, whenever I left San Jose. I would continously wave goodbye and blow kisses at my grandpa before the car drove off because I was always afraid he would disappear someday. As I grew older I grew accustomed to the idea that I would see him again and that he would still be there. My calls to him decreased dramatically due to homework and school obligations and whenever I did end a call to him I reminded myself that I would see him again soon enough. Even after he was diagnosed, I felt like he was strong enough to fight through anything. The most haunting part of this entire situation was that on my last visit during winter break I remember him telling me that he would be fine. He hugged me and smiled while saying not to worry. He said he'll stay healthy until the next time I go see him. He said he would still be waiting for that Mercedes I promised to buy him when I was a kid. I hugged him back, nodded, and left. I truly believed he was fine. I left San Jose and headed back home thinking that I would go again during summer after all my classes. Obviously, he did not make it and even now I cannot fathom the idea that he is gone. I don't believe the reality of this situation will hit me until I visit next year. I will walk through the front doors and say "HI EVERYONE WE'RE HERE" And as everyone comes out to greet me and my mom, I will realize that my grandpa is not there anymore. He will no longer be standing there with his jiggling belly and lighthearted smile. He will no longer be there with open arms ready to hug me while saying "NIAN NIAN." When that day comes I do not know how I will react but I know that apart of my heart will feel like its been torn out. I wanted to list a couple of my most precious memories of my grandpa but the list would be endless. The number of memories I have with him and the things he has done for me cannot be counted. I wanted to end this short memorial with one last thought for everyone. Whether or not you agree is of your own accord but personally I am happy. Not that my grandpa is gone, but that he is no longer suffering. Although he hid it, I'm sure my grandpa faced a lot of pain due to this disease. I believe he is in a better place now, watching us. Even if he is not with us physically, he will forever be in our hearts as a husband, a father, a friend, and a grandpa. - Vivian