Gemotions

David found the letter tucked within his grandmother's recipe box, amongst a collection of faded cards. The letter was an unsigned draft from his grandfather, a resignation letter from his position as a doctor. It was dated many years before David was born, a time he knew little about. He'd always known his grandfather as an irascible man, a man who had difficulty connecting with others.

The letter spoke of a disagreement with his colleagues, a clash of philosophies, his grandfather's devotion to his patients. David had always seen his grandfather as someone who was unyielding, uncaring. Now, seeing the words on the page, the deep care he felt, he understood his actions better.

He ran his fingers over the paper, his throat tight, and realized he had never understood his grandfather, nor his sacrifices. He felt the cold shock of that realization.