I carry the name of my grandfather.
And I have always carried that with pride.
He was, and still is, one of the most important people in my life. Someone I deeply love, respect, and admire. One of my role models.
I lost him 25 years ago.
But somehow, I have never learned to think about him only in the past tense.
Because some people leave this world without really leaving our lives.
When I was a little boy, my grandfather often gave me recorded fairy tales on vinyl. Back then in Bulgaria, almost every family had a turntable. Homes were filled with records—music, theatre plays, and, for children like me, fairy tales.
I loved them.
But when I was around ten, something changed.
My grandfather started giving me books.
One book.
Then another.
And another.
Stories that opened new worlds for me. Stories I read as a child without knowing that, one day, the most valuable words in those books would not be written by the author.
Because inside the front cover, my grandfather always left me a short dedication ( photo of the post ).
Nothing long.
Nothing complicated.
Just a few words.
A date.
His handwriting.
His name.
As a child, I loved those books because of the stories inside them.
Today, I love them for something else.
I open the cover and see his handwriting, and suddenly those books are no longer just books. They are pieces of him. Pieces of my childhood. Proof that once, many years ago, someone who loved me held that same book in his hands, opened it, thought about me, and wrote a few words especially for me.
That is why the two books in this photograph are priceless to me.
Not because they are rare editions.
Not because they are worth a lot of money.
But because his hand touched these pages.
Because his words are still there.
Because after 25 years, I can still open a book and meet my grandfather again.
So today, I want to leave you with one simple thought.
When you give someone a book, write something inside it.
Sign your name.
Add the date.
Write one sentence.
It doesn’t need to be poetic or perfect. You may even think your words are too simple to matter.
Write them anyway.
Because a book is already one of the most beautiful gifts we can give.
But a book with a few handwritten words inside can become something more.
Years may pass. Lives may change. People may leave.
And one day, someone may open that old cover, recognize your handwriting, run their fingers over your words, and realize they are holding much more than a book.
They are holding a treasure.
Grandpa, this one is for you.
I still carry your name.
And I still carry you.
GK
Georgi Kisyov – Reflections & Books 
How thoughtful of your grandfather to do that for you. I love this!
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Thank you so much. Looking back now, I realize just how thoughtful he was, even though I couldn’t fully appreciate it as a child. Those few handwritten words have become one of the greatest gifts he ever gave me.
GK
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A beautiful tribute to your grandfather and to the way you were raised to respect the past.
Today I will write something to my mother and father in a similar vein!
Perhaps some day MY grandchildren will look back and connect to their heritage too.
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Thank you so much for your beautiful words. It makes me so happy to think that this story inspired you to write something to your mother and father today. And I truly hope that one day your grandchildren will read your words and feel that same connection to their family and heritage that I feel every time I open my grandfather’s books.
GK
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Rosie. Means a lot. Have a beautiful evening.
GK
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This is a great idea 💡 Thanks for sharing ☺️
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Absolutely. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
GK
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This is beautiful. thank you!
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Thank you very much. You are very welcome. Have a wonderful evening.
GK
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Georgi, your post brought tears, smile and memories. Thank you for this.
I also love leaving hand written notes when i give books to people I love.
With Love,
Yana De Lillac
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Thank you so much, Yana. Knowing that this story brought you tears, smiles, and memories means more to me than I can express. I love that you also leave handwritten notes in the books you give—one day, those simple words will become priceless treasures for the people you love.
GK
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This is a very profound post, Georgi. It touched me more than I can easily express. I, too, was named after my grandfather, and it has always been one of the greatest honors of my life.
As I’ve grown older, I sometimes look back with a little regret, wishing I had been more patient and understanding during the years he lived with us. Youth often doesn’t recognize the value of the moments it is living.
The day I was born, my grandfather opened a savings account for me. It became more than a financial gift—it was a quiet lesson in planning ahead and caring for those who come after us, one that has stayed with me throughout my life.
Some of my favorite memories are of sitting on my grandparents’ floor beside an old record player with a metal turntable and lid. The needle was so heavy by today’s standards, but to me it was magical. When I was very young, they would play children’s story records for me. As I grew older, they replaced those records with books. They encouraged me to read, to imagine, and to learn. Time in front of their television was very limited. “You came to visit us,” they would gently remind me, “not to watch television.” Looking back now, I realize what a wonderful gift that was.
I also cherish the handwritten letters my grandfather wrote to my grandmother while she was traveling, as well as the notes and letters he wrote to me. There is a warmth in holding those pages, seeing his familiar penmanship, and knowing his hand was the last to touch them. It’s a deeply personal connection that no text message or email could ever replace.
Thank you for sharing this, Georgi. It brought back memories I hadn’t visited in quite some time.
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Thank you so much for sharing this with me. ❤️ As I was reading your words, I was amazed by how many parts of our stories are so similar—from being named after our grandfathers, to the fairy tale records, the books, and the handwritten notes that became treasures with time. Your grandfather left you a beautiful legacy, just as mine did, and I feel grateful that this story brought those precious memories back to you.
GK
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What an incredible gift. What an incredible memory to share. He’ll always remain with you in spirit. You homour us by sharing something so momentous yet so humbling caring and profound. Your grandfather was a treasure and he treasured you, gifted you with something far more valuable than words can convey.
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Thank you so much for these incredibly kind words. I feel deeply blessed to have had such a grandfather, and even more blessed that he treasured me as he did. If this story reminds others to leave a little piece of themselves for the people they love, then sharing it has been one of the greatest honors for me.
GK
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