If you have ever been to my parents' home in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, you'll remember an array of family pictures that align the wall of our upstairs staircase. In this collection of pictures, you'll find babies, graduations, weddings and family portraits.

Last Sunday, not long after hearing the news of Grandpa's death, something moved me to sit at the top of these stairs. As I looked up, not more than two feet to the left of me was Grandpa's engagement photo. It is a beautiful picture. There he was -- all handsome, smiling, young and vibrant, in his twenties -- the same as myself.

As I stared at the picture something inside me told me he wasn't just smiling for a photograph more than 60 years ago; he was smiling directly at me. Right then and there, all the grief that I had experienced over the news of his death suddenly disappeared. I knew he was telling me that everything was all right, and that his soul was in a better place. 

We all love you Grandpa. You are in our hearts, and you will always be with us. 

Your loving grandson,
Scott

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com