In Memory Of Our Pa Pa

We lost our Pa Pa on Friday. We lost a wonderful father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a friend to many. Heaven gained an angel. I know he is in Heaven today, rejoicing to be with our Lord. What a reunion he must be having with his loved ones that have passed before him. We will miss him, so much of him.

We look forward to every Sunday because that's the day we visit our grandparents. If we don't mention it to Hunter, then he does to us. He says "Today we go see my Granny, Pa Pa and Ellen." (His wife and their daughter, who they live with so she can care for them)

I don't think I'll ever be able to forget the way Hunter called Pa Pa, as he walked up the steps to the front door. He loved his hat. He usually had it sitting beside him and Hunter always put it on him, as soon as we got there. Hunter loved to see Pa Pa in that hat too. It made him smile, and I'm sure that's the way he will remember him.

I loved Pa Pa's smile, which could light up the darkest room. I loved the way his face lit up when we brought the children over. He loved it when Hunter would come give him a hug and a kiss. When he saw our Hannah, there was a special look on his face. It seems hard to believe we just saw him, looking great, last Sunday when we came to see him. He laughed in pure joy when he saw Hannah in her Dedication Dress and as Hunter nudged his way beside him on the bed to kiss him, telling him he loved him so much. He told us he loved us too and I'm so glad that's the last words we spoke. I wish he could have known Hannah longer but I'm so glad he was able to meet her. He looked forward to seeing his great grandchildren. He always thanked us for coming to see them because he said we made their day. But they really made ours.

He was a quiet, gentle man. He loved everyone and he loved to tell stories, telling you how life used to be. We will never forget our Pa Pa. Our hearts are breaking but we're happy he's free from pain and sickness. He's in his new home, in Heaven and we have to rejoice with him. Please remember our family during these difficult times..