It's not just that he's funny ...

From a family interview of Ben’s grandfather, Nick, taken in 2012

My grandchildren are precious. We’re bonded...

Ben is hardworking, brilliant, smart, disciplined, and a good kid. He’s bright and he’s a good sportsman. He’s independent and he works so hard.

He has a sense of humor. It’s not just that he’s funny, he’s got the brains and the ability to be more than funny. Funny is just a technique...

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One of Nick’s heroes is Sydney Carton, a character in Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities. In his interview, Nick presciently quoted Carton, who said: “It is a far far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.” …

Nick also quoted Atticus Finch in his interview, saying: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Nick stressed that it was “skin” and not shoes, representing a deeper empathy, respect, and understanding for others by considering situations from their perspectives.

Ben, you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23.

Love,

Granddaddy