Dear Gramps

My dear Grandpa has finally joined my sweet Grandma this past weekend. I honestly didn't think it would be as hard as it has been without him around. I'm glad he's not suffering any more and he no longer has an excuse to complain about being old and falling apart. As long Ias I keep busy it's not so bad. My apologies to my hubbie who has to see me breaking down so often.

...While looking through some old photo albums I came across a few choice pictures, some that I haven't seen before of me and the grandparents. I miss them soo unbelievably much. My grandma always gave me pep talks about auditions (among hundreds of other things), and my grandpa was always there if I needed something. I feel really lucky for having my grandparents for as long as I did. They were and always will be such great examples of the perfect grandparents. My younger brother and I were chatting the other day about how good of a relationship we had with our grandparents, especially our grandpa. We all spent a great deal of time with him..and of course he taught us so many important things......

-it's not how much money you have, it's what you do with it (coming from a boy who made money during the depression)

-there's no use in getting angry (it means you lost the argument)

-the magic words: please and thank you

-the proper way to assemble a super and super duper ice cream cone

-the healing powers of chocolate cake

-how to say thank you (he always thanked me for being his granddaughter)

-you can never say I love you too many times to one person

-it always pays to be nice and charitable to others

-never lend family money, just give it to them if you need to

-judge judy is always right

-it's important to be dependable ( i can't tell you how many times I called my grandpa when I needed a ride or needed to be picked up)

-"be nice to Lincoln..he's my baby boy" "be nice to your dad he's my baby boy"

-it is wise to use the 'senior discount' system for free drinks at KFC

-make friends and be nice to everyone (his relations at KFC were phenomenal..he was always given better deals and get well cards from his chums)

-you have to think for yourself and use common sense...sometimes doctors

nurses have no idea what they are talking about (no insult intended to doctors or nurses)

-art is not a reputable career choice...finance/medical/business are

-you can go far by beating opponents at checkers (he wigged his way home earlier from the navy and a war by beating the ship's captain at a game of checkers, earning his respect for not being intimidated by the c.

-how to keep a secret

-clean up your messes, spills and crumbs (oh licorice...that's we loved it so much. It never caused messes.)

---just to name a few----

For years I put up and took down his Christmas tree. I loved seeing his appreciation for something so simple as a lit tree. My Grandma collected or made almost all of the ornaments. He would always tell me seeing that tree would remind him of her. This year at the Christmas Tree Festival I saw this tree and thought immediately of him....I think one reason why I love Christmas and trees so much is because of the amazing memories I have when I see them.

A few years ago my Grandpa started coming over to our house on Sundays for dinner. I loved seeing him and I loved talking to him. The last pic is of us is at Thanksgiving a few years (one year?) ago. This year a bunch of the family went down to his residence to feast. Unfortunately he was not doing well enough to join us, but the fun visit afterwards was one I won't forget.

Dear Grandpa,

I miss you so incredibly much! You're allowed to have the time of your life with Grandma and the dogs!! I'll love you forever:D I'm glad you approve of my hubbie, and no worries he'll provide for me just the way you did for Grandma:D

loves,

Kylee Jane