Tribute to My Grandpa

Did you know that the earth’s diameter (not circumference) is about 8000 miles? I fly about 7500 miles to get back home to Turkey, which means that my home country is almost on the other side of the world. As interesting of a fact as it is, that also puts me very far away from my family. Over the years I got used to this concept. Thanks to technology, we (my family and I) learned to be closer without physically being together.  However as the years go by ages go up and fear sets in - “what if something happens?”...

It was Monday morning and everything had begun as normal as it could be for a Monday morning. I was in a team meeting when my Fitbit vibrated and I saw a glimpse of a message. I rushed out of the room not knowing where to go. The message was from my dad and it said “your grandpa said goodbye to all of us”...  (writing this blog is not easy)

My grandpa, dedem (in Turkish), was a proud, strong, hard-headed but soft-hearted man. He was also, in his own way, an innovator. He wasn’t scared of trying new things that he believed in. I was his first grandkid. From the moment I was born I became a big part of my grandparents’ life. I started to travel with them when I was 6 months old in many Lions Club tours. From 9 until 21, I spent every summer with my grandparents (3 months at a time). Being the first grandkid came with a big responsibility - being a good example for all other grandkids. It was an unspoken responsibility and sometimes put me at disadvantage over my brother and my cousins. But over the years, I think, we all got used to it. After all, my grandpa always called me “Numero Uno”. 

My passion for windsurfing began at their summer house. He was my front row fan every single time when I was out there. Whenever he would feel the breeze he would get ready to watch.  He even named the summer house after my windsurfer’s brand - Mistral.    

He was not too happy to hear that I had decided to study on the other side of the world but he continued to be my front row fan - watching me grow and asking about all the decisions I made along the way. As traditional as he was, when I told him that I will be moving in with my boyfriend (now my husband), he understood my logic and never even questioned it... He ended up being my witness at our wedding...

When Kaya was born, dedem was very excited to meet him. After all, he was waiting to have his “numbero uno”s kid. He made him giggle like crazy when Kaya was only 4 months old. Even though Kaya was so attached to me, he didn’t mind being hugged by dedem. The funny noises that dedem would make and the tickles were Kaya’s favorite.

Dedem never stopped telling others how I teach classes and get people in shape. He tried to encourage me to start a fitness studio in Istanbul. I think, secretly, his hope was to get me back to Turkey. Luckily, he had the chance to watch me teach about ten years ago. I think he would have been happy to see how 21 strangers celebrated his life one push up at a time...

I did dedicate my class on 5/14 to dedem... He was going to turn 90 next month. We ended up doing quite a few pushups. Everyone worked hard to get them all done. We had few “superman”s (one your belly, hands and feet off the floor), which was great to see. Meanwhile both Kaya and Ela decided to be on my back. I think dedem would have been proud to see me like that and still going.

(At the end of the class)

I couldn’t make it to his funeral but I’ve heard it was just as I expected - 500+ people came to say their goodbyes.

I want to thank the 21 strangers who has never met him but celebrated his life with me. From my point of view, he had a life to celebrate and the moment he was done with it he just closed his eyes. I will make sure that my kids will grow up with his legacy.

Dedem - seni cok hem de cok seviyorum. Nur içinde yat.