What’s on my bookshelf from my grandfather?

I apologize to those of you who follow my blog for not posting as regularly last month. I took a break from posting because, two weeks ago, my grandfather passed away. He would have been 79 on November 29.

It’s hard to write about him now, but I think it’s important. He was the grandfather who got me books when I was younger, who always encouraged (along with my parents) as much reading as possible. He was an English teacher, and was always correcting my brothers’ and my speech. He got us a subscription to National Geographic when my brothers and I were younger, which helped to introduce me to the idea of really telling a story through journalistic writing, as well as telling me about faraway places, animals, people and cultures.

My grandfather was very proud when my father told him about my publishing contract. While he didn’t normally read fantasy novels, he read mine, and he praised it and encouraged me to keep writing.

My grandfather enjoyed more espionage, military and thriller novels like the ones Tom Clancy writes. I know he and my father have discussed his books, including The Hunt for Red October and The Sum of All Fears. While I have yet to read a Tom Clancy novel, my father owns them as well, and I think I will make it a point next year to borrow and read them. I know I will think of my grandfather when I do.

One of my favorite quotes from my grandfather is this: “I figure that as long as I’m not looking at the grass from underneath, it has to be a good day.” While I know we can no longer say that is true for him, I will try and always think like he did about this.

Rest in peace, Grandpa Roger.

About Brittany Westerberg

I'm a lover of writing and books. I graduated from South Dakota State with a master's degree in communications in 2011, the same year I was first published. I'm a wife and mom, and I work in content and digital marketing in South Dakota.