My Grandpa and me in 1990, heading out to take a walk in the forest.

I don’t remember this particular day, but I do recall spending so many days having adventures with my grandpa. We had so much fun together!
My grandfather was born in 1941 in the south of Russia. Born into a military family, he survived war as a child. His family’s town was under German occupation for some time and I remember him sharing a childhood memory of a German soldier sitting him on his lap and playing with the little blonde boy he used to be.

My grandfather’s family moved around the Soviet Union a lot, eventually settling down in Moscow. And that’s where my grandpa met his love, my grandmother. They were high-school sweethearts.
Here he is, near their home, with his first grandchild – me.
He has always been there for me; he was a true paternal figure in my life. He taught me how to find something funny in almost any situation. He helped me laugh at problems and he introduced me to good books.

Unfortunately, he died young, at only 58. Yet he’s still here for me – I have him in my heart. ~shared by @karinakalina