Romneka G.

My grandpa died on May 18th, 2025.  He was 99 years old.  He would have turned 100 on August 31. 

My grandpa died and I don’t know how I Feel.  Well…no…it’s more like I feel so many things.  I feel so angry that I didn’t come out here when I first had the inkling.  I regret not giving us that time together. I am sad I will never get to know him deeply. I am amazed at the life he lived.  He may not be world famous but to so many people he was somebody.  

A comforting ear.

A wise counsel.

A faithful leader.

A dutiful teacher.

An enigma preacher. 

A man who survived fear of the klan.

A loving friend.

A constant prayer warrior.

A supporter of achievement.

He was funny, rude, intelligent, well read, musically gifted and above all A long time man of faith.  

Grandpa made these bread and butter pickles.  Pickles weren’t meant to be sweet to me, lol.  But anytime he made pickles I would sit in the kitchen and try not to be in the way as he patiently taught me how to make them myself. 

Grandpa always smelled like garlic because he ate it every day.  

He practiced Piano multiple times a week…especially on Saturdays.   

He watched jeopardy religiously.  

He was insistent on me going to college.  ‘You’re a smart girl. Smart girls go to college. Now stop playing on my keyboard. Pass me my Bible.’ 

Once upon a time, I was going to be a preacher like grandpa in my dreams.  In real life, I am stage shy and to this day it will never ever happen.  Even though I hate and secretly love being in the spotlight and all that comes with it, from time to time. 

Grandpa tried to teach me to play piano. It wasn’t my ministry.  

We bonded over our love of knowledge and nature.  Not the dirty parts or the bugs. But the interesting parts like growth, beauty,  nurture, and how the work yields the results.  

My grandpa died and I was immediately transported to a time when I used to run into his room and jump on his bed only for him to fuss about me jumping on the bed and redirecting my focus to the bookshelf full of books.  

A time where we sat begrudgingly at his feet while he read us the Bible.  

Grandpa taught me how to use my hands, my voice, whether I wanted to learn these things was of no importance.  

He bought me my first chemistry kit and we played with it together.  

He picked up people for church every Sunday. He visited with The sick and shut in.  He and my grandma openEd their home for all the family …cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews, whoever was in need.  

As I got older I learned that grandpa wasn’t without his own cross to bear.  There is so much about him I will never know.  The struggles he endured and the ones he overcame.  The turmoil he battled against.  The anger and frustration and isolation he must have felt at times.  The joys, celebrations and love he desired. The dreams that got deferred and the ones that came to fruition.  

Grandpa died and I’ve been wrestling with the dichotomy of man.  The multiplicity of emotions existing at the same time in me and my family.  I can’t say I haven’t cried.  Because I have a few times.  I can’t say I’m not grieving because it feels like grief but it doesn’t feel like grief.  

I can’t imagine out living friends, the majority of your family, your peers, your congregation, your fellow preachers, your favorite preachers and everyone you knew.  

I can’t imagine what it feels like to experience having a great great grandchild.  Like seeing your progeny’s progeny birth life.  

99 years of American brutality.

99 years of striving for the American dream.

99 years of faith for freedom. 

99 years of watching tides change as they stay the same.  

I will miss my grandfather. The man who always made sure I had an updated almanac. The man who prayed for me. The man who encouraged me.  The man who in his own way let me know that I was, am and always will be loved.  The man with the prettiest gardens in town.  The man with a song always on his finger tip, love in his heart, and timely wisdom from the Most High. The man who touched so many lives, meant so much to so many.

I know you are getting your well deserved rest and I pray it is an easy and comfortable one. You will be missed dearly.