My grandfather died on Valentine's Day. He was 83. He had lived through several heart surgeries and astounded every single doctor along the way. He was a miracle of science and determination. That's what you get when you deal with a former 25-year Marine that retired as a Major.

I'd like relate one story to you about my grandfather. This is probably what I will remember the most about him, so it's fitting for you to have as your one story about him. It conveys his character, his quirkiness, his values, and his sense of humor.

My grandfather had a system for giving his grandchildren birthday presents. Multiply your age by 7. That way, everyone was given proportionally equal gifts, and everyone knew what to expect. However, what Grandpa didn't mention was that the system would change once we reached a certain age. Somewhere in our late teens, he started giving us a single, crisp two-dollar bill for our birthdays. He suggested we leave the bills in our wallets at all times just in case we ever ran out of money and we needed a couple bucks.

Thanks to the wonderful technology of electronic payment devices (credit cards) I had no need to use my two-dollar bills. So they remained in my wallet, for years and years and years.

My aunt called on Valentine's Day and told me Grandpa had died. I was on a plane to Tampa four days later. We said goodbye to our grandfather with the Marines by his side. They shot the rifles. They gave my grandmother and my aunt each an American flag. They played Taps. We all cried.

I flew home the following morning at 6:50. Back in Dallas, bleary-eyed and numb, I hailed a taxi at the airport to take me home before heading straight to work. I looked in my wallet and noticed I probably had just enough to cover the ride and a tip. But we got stuck in traffic, and I looked in horror as I saw the fare go up and up.

By the time we got to my car, the fare was too high. I didn't have enough cash, and I didn't have time to drive around with the cabbie and find an ATM. Then I remembered the two-dollar bills Grandpa gave me. I pulled them out, gave them to the cabbie to make the fare, and got out of the car.

Grandpa, I used the two-dollar bills to get me home after I said goodbye to you for the last time. Did you know that's when I would use them? I carried them in my wallet for years, and pulled them out when I needed them. Thank you.