I didn't expect a close friendship with my grandfather

I cannot recall my first memory of my grandfather, Geraldo—maybe because he was always there. When I was born he split his time between Paris, where I lived, so he could watch me grow, and Rio de Janeiro, where he now lives full-time. After I moved to New York at 6 he came to visit frequently, and when I moved to Portugal at 23 he has already visited five times in two and a half years.

I should get him a frequent visitor card. There is something truly marvelous about caring for those who cared for you. Driving him around, making him tartar and banana pancakes, even just pouring him coffee fills me with joy. He makes me laugh an exorbitant amount with his funny facial expressions, ridiculous reactions, and cynical jokes; one time I made iced coffee and he eyed me like I was insane.

He finds joy in everything and is so easy to please.

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

grandfather, geraldo, paris, new york, portugal, rio, caregiving, family, banana pancakes, iced coffee