For my FaFa, Charles Richard Grey, who told me to ignore the suggested reading list and gave me his favorite Mary Stewart novel instead.
Charles Richard Grey 1927 - 2005
Because it is my FaFa's birthday today I thought I'd share a little bit about him.
Charles Richard Grey (Rich to almost everyone) was born in California in 1923. He truly was a part of the "Greatest Generation," volunteering for service in the Army Air Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He flew bombers in the South Pacific and returned home to marry my grandmother, Lois. "Chuck and Lo," as my mom always refers to them, had an amazing love story. Rich even incorporated Lois's initials into his signature. After his service was over, he attended art school and became a graphic designer. He never got to paint as much as he wanted, especially because he lost his sight later in life, but the paintings of his that we have are treasured.
FaFa with baby me!
He was a great dad to my mom and her brother, and an amazing grandfather to me and my brothers. He loved to read, and introduced me to some of my favorite authors. I remember him taking me to the library for the summer reading program when I was thirteen. When they handed me a "suggested reading list" for my age group we both could tell that it was far below my reading level. Instead of sticking with the list he handed me classics like Gone With the Wind and the novels of his favorite author Mary Stewart. Her writing absolutely changed the way my brain frames stories. I have his hardback copies of some of his favorite Stewart novels, with his name inscribed in the front, and I still read those copies.
To dedicate my first book to him seemed like such a small way to pay tribute. I miss him and I wish he could have met my children. Thank you, FaFa, for everything.
What an amazing story and a truly inspiring person. It’s great that you had someone like that in your life, who still influences you even though they’re gone. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thanks so much Jaime! He really was a great role model
Your post and our texts made me think about my own grandpa, who died when I was only eight. Since I was so young, I wouldn’t really say he inspired me to write, or shaped the way I look at books (though he is without a doubt the source of literary love in my family), but… Like I just told my dad, he made me feel special enough to do anything. He loved me the way every girl should be loved by her grandfather, and I hope I never, ever forget how that felt.
PS: Thanks for making me cry.
You’re welcome
It’s a good kind of cry though! You grandfather sounds wonderful, what a great tribute to him!
Ahhhh. Fafa was a very good man and I’m glad to have known him.
Thanks, Aunt Holly
I’m glad to have known him too!
Aawww I think I have something in my eye.
I am sure he would be so proud of you (and I hope he would approve of your cover too. I didn’t know he was an artist/designer!)
He would have loved my cover Tori
I’ll have to take pics of some of his stuff when I’m in CA this October to send you!