lorenz kleinkopf, the sweetest opa

"Ihre Kleidung schaut gut auf Ihnen an (you look beautiful in that dress)," says opa*, while i help him carry the chair he wants to sit on in the patio.

my older sister jasmin postpones arranging teacups, nudges me and whispers in vernacular, "among the germans, it is considered an insult if you only smile back at their comments. you have to speak your mind."

"oh, was he saying something i should reply to?" i ask absentmindedly.

"yes. apparently leopard print looks good on you. say, thank you to him," she admonishes, "in german."

"danke schon, opa," i accede, not because, i have to but the compliment sounded sincere coming from an 80-year old.

*opa is jasmin's father-in-law who passed away last night in the arms of his wife francesca. he'll turn 85 in march. he is the sweetest man i've ever known.