Grandpa

My grandpa left today. He'd been here for the past two weeks, and it was awesome. Just awesome.


As a kid, I treasured trips to Ohio to visit my grandparents, or their trips to see us-wherever that might have been. I would sit for hours in my Grandma's living room looking at her tiny knick knacks, and listening to her talk about dishes, home shopping, Ireland, and when "Danny was a boy." Simultaneously, I would giggle uncontrollably or cry hysterically as my Grandpa drew pictures of me, Mom, or Grandma with ridiculously big ears, or (gasp) a big belly. He'd label the pictures "Monkey Mommie" or "Me," tricking me into saying that the picture was indeed me instead of him. He'd slip king size candy bars into my pockets when we went to the grocery store, and made me promise not to tell my mom. He'd go on and on about his beautiful hair (never mind that he was bald), and go for long walks with his dog-or any dog. They were all "pretty puppies." And, at bedtime, he'd con kiss after kiss from me by refusing to receive those "poison kisses." I thought it was the most hilarious thing I'd ever seen. I thought he was the most hilarious person in the world.

And, I still think he's pretty funny.

He wasn't here ten minutes before he started drawing pictures of my kids with wacky ears or big tummies. They were beside themselves in hysterics and tears trying to make sense of all the doodling. He renamed them "Charlie, Ringtail, and Joe," which again sent them laughing uncontrollably. He went to basketball practice with us, and played golf with my dad-even spending a day with my 6-year-old giving a lesson or two. Everyday, he'd talk about how dad cheated with his golf GPS, and how it was impossible to win against such odds. I talked my dad into picking up the kids from school so Grandpa could spend a few more minutes each day with them. He just loves those kiddies. They're "his buddies."

And, they love him too. They fell in love with him these past two weeks, and every night after pie, they too would give him poison kisses. They soaked up his love, his joy, his sillyness, and his spirit. They treasured his visit, and I treasured the memory. Last night, as we were saying our goodbyes, I sensed a few tears around the room. I vividly remember that feeling, not wanting to say goodbye, not wanting to leave my Grandpa and Grandma. But, I'm so thankful for these past two weeks, for the pictures in my mind, and the doodlepads in my scrapbook. I'm a pretty lucky girl having such a great Grandpa, and my kiddies are pretty lucky, too.

And, don't worry Grandpa, I'm taking care of the little ones. They're polishing their own doodling skills for your next visit.