The Greatest Grandpa

Well, its time...my Grandpa passed away this morning. Tomorrow, Dave and I will travel to Orlando to say good-bye. I've really been saying good-bye for a couple weeks now. Of course, I've been so busy with the store on my own since mom has been with him that I'm not sure I've truly thought about the world without my Grandpa.

I've always seen him as this really strong man that has lived through unbelievable times, crazy joys, fun adventures, and heart wrenching sadness. He was born in 1927 and at the age of 16, lied about his age and served in the Merchant Marines. "We were on the ship once and it was so cold I peed on the deck, it froze solid and I kicked it overboard." Really, Grandpa? Impressive. But did you have to tell that story at the dinner table with a new boyfriend there? Yes, he did. He was Grandpa.

He always had a story for everything. He also always had a food for you to try. Whether it was a twist on his world famous Mickey Mouse waffles, a new flavor of yummy cheesecake, or his straight from his garden pickled beats...hey, they can't all be winners...he wanted you just to try and most of the time I was pleasantly surprised, especially by that onion soup!...OK not by the beats but I tried.

If you sat by him on the couch at night it was a pretty safe bet that he would offer you some ice cream--even at age 30. But it was also a pretty safe bet that he would squeeze your knee or rub your knuckles together in that annoying way---even at age 30. To me, it was worth the risk.

Yes, he worked with the great Mickey Mouse. I really don't know what his favorite color was. All I do know is that when he would take us to the parks (when most families talk about parks there are slides and grass---not us---Disney World is our park) we would make him wear red. You were in for a marathon when you went with Grandpa. He wanted to show everyone everything so when we walked in the gate, we were off...

His last trip to the Magic Kingdom was with us in February. Sam's 1st visit. I am so thankful that Reilly-Kate and all of us got to spend that afternoon together. I drove to his house that morning to pick him up and we chatted and ate Dunkin Donut munchkins all the way back to the hotel, "Maybe I'll just have one more..."

The 1st time he met Sam (his 7th great grandchild) he leaned down and told him, "I'm gonna dance at your wedding." Unfortunately, we won't be able to see him dancing there but I know he'll be there. I am so thankful that he danced at mine and that my husband loved him as much as I did and would sit as long as he needed to help Grandpa download pictures and funny videos from the internet, with a happy face. I am thankful beyond words that my kids got to know him, even for a short time. He will always be the greastest Grandpa in the whole world and they will never forget him, I'll make sure of that.

I love you, Grandpa. I am honored to be called your granddaughter and I am honored that you loved my kids so much. Yes, you did have something to do with how smart, good lookin', and well-behaved they are. You raised pretty great kids who I, in turn, was raised by. And I know for a fact that you took full credit for how great they are...thats OK. You're pretty great yourself.