An Old Photo

My mother recently gave me this photo of myself. I was about 2 1/2 years old in this photo, wearing a dress my grandfather got for me. My grandfather used to play poker with some guys

who were children's clothing wholesalers, and after the game he would pick out dresses for me. 

He was very charming and charismatic, and people loved him or hated him. I loved him so, so much. 

I have looked at this photo, covered in scotch tape, and wondered who did it and why,

I almost threw it away. It has been sitting on my desk for months, I would pick it up, think about whether to toss it since it was in bad shape, but would do nothing but put it back under the lamp. Today, the photo fell to the floor and for the first time I saw the back. In my grandfather's writing; my name with the addition of his last name, and the year. I realized why it was covered in tape and slightly curled - it had been in his wallet.

He died 25 years ago, and I still think of him every day.