What I got from my grandfather

Almost 9 years ago on this day, my maternal grandfather passed away. I was 18 years old and had never dealt with losing a family member close to me. This was the first time. During that time I was at a weird phase in my life. I couldn’t really process what I was feeling. Looking back almost a decade later I can’t remember how I felt.
But I know how I feel at the moment. I remember bits and parts about my grandfather. I wish I had a journal back then. I could have remembered much more. Nevertheless, I do remember a lot of good things. Mainly how my grandfather had great character. I used to look up to him a lot even though I never told this to anyone. I didn’t know the connection I had with my grandfather until recent years.
I remember two interesting things about my grandfather which I think have been passed on to me. I remember his love for watches. I don’t remember ever talking to him about watches but I do remember how he had a number of watches and how he always used to wear one. I ended up picking up this trait. I love wearing watches and I even kept some of his watches with me. I still have them here in Japan. The second thing was his love for the radio. He always used to have a radio. He used to love listening to the radio. Even though TV and the internet became widely available he held on to the radio. I never could understand why until the day I started listening to podcasts. Now my love for podcasts is similar to his love for the radio. Maybe I am making no sense but I do feel a connection every time I get lost in a new podcast episode. I always remember my grandfather loving his radio shows.
I don’t know how these traits were passed on to me. But I am glad they were. I am glad I can remember him in these small things.