With My Eternal Love and Gratitude

Upon my return to Nairobi, I learned my Grandpa Olson passed away last week.

He was a man with a fantastic interest in and understanding of the world we live in. He could describe in great detail the differences between a yam and a sweet potato, discuss the merits of an ancient civilization, chat about current world affairs, and in the same sitting, review the latest NFL or college football standings.

Throughout his well-lived life he had many hobbies and interests -- the years he & my Grandma would travel to Canada for salmon fishing season, then smoke & can their catches to share with us (yum!). The years he'd travel to Vegas to meet his friends for their private annual poker game. The years he bought several acres in Central FL, and started a small citrus farm (where I fell in love with comquats and used real aloe straight from the plant for the first time -- gooey stuff!). Plus, he was a democrat, so together we could chuckle at my dad, his son, and his Rush-Limbaugh-listening ways (we decided it wasn't his fault, that good political sense skips a generation!).

And one of his greatest legacies for me is what I'm doing now: international travel. I recall the wonder that filled my mind growing up each time a new postcard arrived from him & my Grandma. Their travels took them to faraway lands, places like China, Egypt and Ecuador. And on their biggest trip each year, they'd pick up Christmas tree ornaments for their grandkids. My international ornament collection is among my favorite possessions to this day.

So to my Grandpa, I say, thank you for demonstrating a thirst for knowledge about the world, and for showing me how to quench it. I love you, and will miss you.

Mere