This story is part of Love For Our Elders’ celebration of National Share-A-Story Month. We encourage you to share your story with us this month by clicking here.

I have been fortunate to have elders in my life over the years and have appreciated many, but my favorite was my Papa Hank. He had amazing stories to tell and was a great storyteller. Papa Hank was not afraid to talk about the bad times as well. He admitted that he started smoking cigarettes when he was 7-years-old. I heard stories about his time flying fighter jets in World War II, his studies at Harvard University and about when he was a part of the swim team. His hard work as a salesman for Starette Tools and the places he went for his work were fascinating. He told me all about the old family farmhouse before it had electricity. Papa also taught me a lot about compassion. As my stepfather who was a bit older than my mother, he was fit, spunky and a pleasure to be around.

Papa taught my kids how to fish, and they are still avid fishermen and women. He showed us how to make his fudge and loved to make it with us, but it is not the same when we try to make his recipe on our own. Papa talked a lot about his son who he could not save, and that is how I learned so much about the Vietnam War and its impacts, long after the war had ended. Papa retired and took his savings to find his son and help him, but his son did not want to be helped. Watching my Papa in pain because of this was terrible.

I wish Papa were still here to talk to about his life. As I grow older, I appreciate his stories more and have more questions to ask him. I tell anyone who will listen to spend time with their senior relatives and friends and to listen to them when they want to talk. You will always carry the memories of your time with them in your heart. Papa once said to me, “how lucky are we that we had a chance to love someone so much that we miss them this much” after my mom’s passing. These words touch me to this day and I will forever appreciate it.