my truly sincere condolences to a friend who lost his mother's father today.

i lost my mother's father a year and a half ago. my grandfather died alone (even with generations of children,) of a broken heart. i can only offer this advice (born from regret) to those who still have the chance: get to know your grandparents, your parents, you uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, get to know your own. forgive our relatives before they become our ancestors.