June 5th 2007

"Our bodies are mere shells, containers of our souls." After reading this quote my senior year of high school in a book called "Tuesday's With Morrie" I was stunned with its accuracy. No matter how much our bodies change as we age, or how they may change when we get sick, it is what is on our hearts or our souls that is most important. And what was inside my Grandfather's heart and soul is amazing. As the oldest, I was chosen by my Grandmother to represent the Grandchildren, to tell from our perspective just how much this man meant to us and how the times we spent with him and the memories we made together will be forever cherished. For me when I think about my Grandfather I remember the first 13 years of my life living in his home. I remember him taking care of me, loving me, and simply being there whenever I needed anything. But what I also remember are the lessons he taught me. There are also three distinct character traits that come to mind when I think of him. The first being drive. My Grandpa never gave up on anything or anyone. He drove his Grandchildren to do our homework, help out around the house, or do whatever else was needed of us. The second trait I believe best describes our Grandpa would be strength. Grandpa always dealt with every new hand life dealt him with plenty of strenght to face it. We have all seen Grandpa face the challenges of this past year and a half with strength, but that was a public display, not the only. And last but certainly now least, passion. OUr Grandfather loved his family with a deep passion, always there for us, and never let us down. Even though most of us knew him as a man of few words, none were needed for any of us to know how much he loved us. All of these things stick out in my mind, my cousins also have memories. Ryan Kornack, the second born Grandchild loved the way that we always knew Grandpa loved us, and how he always made special time with him, whether to just have a casual conversation, or to spend a couple hours watching Grandpa's beloved Illini basketball games. Austin Kornack, the third born Grandchild loved the family time we all spent, like this past Christmas when we all made a trip to Colorado. He also loved the way Grandpa was there to help anyone that needed it. He remembers especially, Grandpa being there to help his family through a tough time. Dylan Kornack, Grandchild at four years old loved the times Grandpa would play with him. Benjamin, and Samuel Harris, the youngest two Grandchildren who live in Colorado are too young to share any memories with me, but they will always know how much their Grandpa loved and cared about them and cherished the times he got to see them. Dylan said it best when he said he didn't want Grandpa to be sick anymore, and no matter how much our heads tell us he's not suffering anymore, our hearts still want him here. But that't when I'd like us all to remember more words from "Tuesdays With Morrie": "Death ends a life, not a relationship."