Saturday, October 23, 2010

Grandpa Jack

Dear Grandpa,
My earliest memories of you are the five dollar bills you gave me each time I came to visit. I remember being the only little one for quite some time. I followed Jamie around and copied everything he did. He picked on me a lot, but you made sure I usually got my way.

I remember following you around to see whatever you were building or fixing at the time. You never shooed me away. You always told me all about what you were building and the names of your tools. You always let me think I was helping.

When I got older, I remember begging you and Jamie to play the guitar together. I would sit in the floor and listen, smiling from ear to ear. Grandma would tap her foot and sing along too. Those are my favorite memories.

I will never forget all the lunches I ate sitting with you and Grandma. I loved being in that kitchen with the both of you. I loved coming to your house that was more than a house. To me, that house where you created a home represented so many of the things I searched for throughout my life. That is where I found unchanging love and the connection to the pieces I was missing for so long.

Grandpa, you could always make me smile. Even when our days grew shorter, you and I would sit in the sunshine, drinking our Pepsi, and have our talks. Those are special talks that I will always cherish. I speak for all of your grandchildren, from the very oldest to the very youngest, when I say that we are proud to be your grandchildren. As my Lydia said, the one thing we will remember the most about our Grandpa Jack is loving you. We thank you and grandma for giving us a legacy of unchanging love, hard work, and family first. We are not perfect, but that’s not the important thing. We are FAMILY and that is what matters most.

Love,
Amanda