Today would have been my grandfather’s 91st birthday. He passed away two days before his 89th birthday, and life hasn’t been quite the same without him. He was one of a kind. He told fascinating stories about his life and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who could spin a tale the way he could. When he was 14, he quit school and got a job as a runner on Wall Street to support his family. He overcame a lot, became successful, and got the most out of life.

When he laughed, which was often, his face would get completely red when something really got him going. My mom and older nephew, who have the same cheeks he did, do this too, which always serves as a nice reminder of good times with him.

Tonight, I’ll have a nice glass of sherry in his honor.