June 9th. I asked for one moment alone with you. We both knew this was the last time we would consciously meet in this lifetime. I fed you kheer. I wiped your tears. Please do not cry for me. My aunt came in the room. Two eldest daughters from two generations by your bedside. You called for her while looking at me. We knew we were your strongest, but in that moment all we could do was cry.
Expulsion by dictator
Uganda to England
England to New York
New York to Minnesota
Minnesota to LA
Your green thumb and your garden
Our childhoods documented by your camcorder
Every phone number in your journal
Never let go of your eyesight
No child left hungry
Education for all
The community sticks together
Generosity until the end of time
A nonprofit I’ll take over one day
School pickups and dance recitals
Lying about eating meat
Donuts and Taco Bell
Your blue truck and your Camry
Ducky was your favorite
A pillar in our community
A pillar in my heart
I guess I’m daddy now
I miss you so much
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F63b8ab49-7d58-4a4f-a799-c6bfe090fb40_900x1600.jpeg)
I have learned kindness, empathy, creativity, and generosity from my grandfather. Every ounce of strength and resilience comes from him. Losing him is like losing a parent. He quite literally raised me. To lose both grandfathers within weeks of each other is pain I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. To be honest, I haven’t been okay in a while, but in recent weeks it’s been a battle just to exist. I feel empty inside. I miss him so much. I can’t even focus on writing a beautiful essay for him because I’m just… so sad.
If you’re reading this, my ask is you do something kind for someone hungry this week. It would mean the world to me and I know he would appreciate it too.
I didn’t expect to gain so much responsibility so quickly, but I guess that’s life. I’m daddy now. I love you nana, I wish I could have kept you forever.
Love always,
your birthday twin, and your Kali <3
beautiful K 🤍