I just got knocked on my ass by the mail. A card from my aunt. As I walked up the stairs, different thoughts went through my brain: invitation? belated birthday card? hey, look, it’s spring so i think i’ll send out a card?

Nope. It’s a card with sunflowers on it (similar to those my grandmother painted once upon a time), a note saying my grandfather wanted each of his grandchildren to have something dollarwise to remember him by, plus a pile of lovely lovely words in my direction about how he felt about me. And a cheque for $500.

I’m crying. First thoughts, aside from shock, were how lovely it was and how sad I am that he’s gone - I still don’t quite realize it lots of times. Second thoughts were how wonderful my aunt is. After it sank in some more, my brain started to wonder what I could spent it on, but I’ve just decided: this money is not to be spent. It’s going directly into my savings account and I’m not touching it. As the card says, I “don’t need this to remember him, but he always felt it important to have some set aside for a rainy day.” I’ve been complaining and worrying about the fact that I have no savings whatsoever, that I can’t seem to get a hold of a chunk in order to not spend it and to have in case something happens where I need it... and here it is.

Thank you Poppa. I love you, too.

really rather blown away