<human>: Can you give me a shortened version of the text?

My grandfather lives 2,000 miles away in my hometown. He's in his 80s and while not in perfect health, he gets around fairly well and has a sharp mind. I haven't been terribly close with him but was much closer to my grandma (his wife) until she died about 8 years ago. 

Grandma was always the person to acknowledge holidays, birthdays, etc, and after she died, my grandpa doesn't make the slightest effort to acknowledge that sort of thing to anyone in the family, including me. 

I know I'm an adult, and I shouldn't care, but when my mom suggests that I should call/write/email him more, it's frustrating. I'd like to feel like it's reciprocal. He says that he loves me when we see each other, but the distance prevents that from happening a whole lot.

I thought other people might have experienced the same sort of thing - the grandma (typically the holiday/letter/gift person) dies and the grandpa doesn't pick up the tradition. I miss feeling like I had a connection there, and maybe it's just my grandma that I still miss.

I guess I'll keep up the usual - sending cards/etc on holidays, birthdays/etc and hoping he likes them. But man, even a "thank you" would be nice, right? Otherwise it feels like it all goes into the abyss.
<bot>: Since my grandma's death, my grandpa is sort of a curmudgeon. Should I just let it go?