Grandpa

The last post I did was about a trip we took to Utah. I will be forever grateful that we decided to go to Utah because it was the last time I was able to see my grandpa. My dear grandpa died last week and my heart is broken, but I am so grateful I got to see him just a few weeks ago. 

My grandpa was/is such a wonderful man. To know him was to love him. I don't have many memories with my Grandpa Sam and my Step-Grandpa Vern because they both died when I was young. But I have a million wonderful memories with this grandpa. 

I spent many summers staying in Utah with my grandparents. I have great memories of trips we took together. I will miss playing games with him (I swear I have been playing Hollywood Rummy with him since I could sit up.) I will miss his whistling and his constant teasing. He would always tell me, "If I didn't tease you, no one else would." He was never without a smile. He was so great to my grandma. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past March. I really can't put into words how much my grandpa meant to me and what an absolutely wonderful man he was. I can't even pick a favorite memory because there are too many. I really couldn't have hand-picked a better grandpa.  

He loved little kids. I actually called my grandpa on Tuesday morning (he died later that day) to check on him because he hadn't been feeling well. After we talked for a while he said, "Give Mylin and Kale a hug and a kiss from Papa and Grammy....But make sure the biggest hug is from Papa!" 

This past Christmas we went sledding and he wanted to take Mylin for a little walk. I thought it was so cute. 

This is the only picture I ever got of Grandpa and Kale. 

This is the last picture I took of Grandpa. We were at my cousin's wedding reception and he was just chatting away with Mylin. 

The bad thing about always being behind the camera is that I don't get in many pictures. Which is fine...except I don't really have a picture of just me and my grandpa. I have a few family shots with grandpa but not one with just me and him. This is the only one I could find and it was almost eight years ago at my wedding.  

I love my grandpa and I miss him but I'm grateful I'll be able to see him again someday.