My grandfather has lived a thousand lifetimes within his one. A pioneer across the plains, a man of the Yukon, sailor on high seas, a scientist among slaves. He has conquered the world, spun it on his finger, and reflected against the ways of man.
As a philosopher he stood with the masters of ancient Greece and observed their great debates. Yet, as a lover, he has seduced women on foreign beaches. In his youth, he donned spurs and broke wild mustangs on the great American prairies. Saved countries from war. Chased hurricanes and outran sand storms.
My grandfather has lived a great many lives and has the memories to reflect on. In the darkest moments of his light filled life he can escape to a world of the remembered past. It's a talent he passed to his granddaughter and with it bears the gift.
Within these adventures I'm panning gold in Alaska beside him. Our laughter rings out across the Dakota badlands as the sunsets behind us. Or maybe today we're studying birds and tomorrow we struggle through quicksand. Wildfire smoke fills our lungs following the discovery of a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. No matter where we are, the distance between us, the difference in our age - together we stand, side by side, sheriffs drawing down on an outlaw gang.
And when his lifetimes finally silence and he drifts away from this world, I know just where to find him in the pages of a book.
