Kenneth Zielinski, otherwise known as Ken, Mr. Z, or Papa, was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 15, 1946. He is my late grandfather, and the first person in my life to have passed away. He was a stern lover of Chicago, and maybe one of the greatest Cubs fans I have ever known. He grew up on Western Avenue with his family, and left after joining the Air Force when he was 20 years old. Despite my being raised in Texas, I often find myself feeling that I was bound to end up in Chicago because of him. I think about the streets I know now that my Papa and grandmother, Cynthia, walked together, and their families before them. Reminders of him are all around. I remember his love of Old Westerns, playing poker, and sports. I can feel trying on his giant glasses and how they slipped off my head. He was disabled for the majority of my time with him, but when I dream of him he is walking down the hallway of my grandparents’ old house and I hear his voice clearly.  My Papa died on May 17, 2017, two days after his birthday.