Papa

Today my grandpa (aka Papa) passed away. My dad called this morning to tell me that he suffered a massive stroke and wouldn't make it much longer. By the afternoon he slipped peacefully away. Usually when someone tells me that their grandparent has passed, I feel badly for them and their family but then I think about how they lived a "good long life"... like that makes it less sad. I guess it does make it easier but I have to say, I'm still really sad. I've always felt a really special bond with Papa and I can't believe that he's gone. Today I've been thinking about all the many memories I have of him and my grandma (aka Mimi). One of my first memories of Papa is when I'd listen to the tape he sent us where he read stories. He recorded himself reading stories and we'd follow along at home. I remember thinking it was so cool and I'd send him tapes of me talking too. (Who knows what I told him...it was probably really interesting.) Papa would always take us out for ice cream when we were little. It was awesome because we could order whatever we wanted and he always acted like it was such a privilege to hang out with us. When I was a teenager, I remember being in the car with Papa (I was driving) and he was totally calm and collected. When we got home, he said something like, "Wow, that girl sure has a led foot." Looking back, I'm sure he was terrified to be in the car with a teenage driver but he didn't make me feel immature or stupid. I also remember how he always gave us money for Christmas and then would take us to the mall to spend it the next day. Once again, he acted like it was his privilege to be with us when really it probably took a lot of patience. ("I want to go to this store...umm no that store...maybe we should go back to the other store.") Papa always said, "Oh Boy!" when we told him excited news. Anything from "I lost my first tooth" to "I'm getting married." He also always made sure to let me know how proud he was of me and the decisions I made. I remember when we were all on a family vacation and Papa went around the table and talked about specific reasons why he was proud of each grandkid. It was a special moment for me and I had the distinct feeling that I was blessed to have such an attentive and loving person in my life. My favorite memories of Papa revolve around the way he treated Mimi. Every year (I think at Christmas) he wrote Mimi a love poem. One time they were visiting and we were all getting stuff done around the house and outside. I walked into the kitchen to get something and Mimi and Papa were dancing. No music, no one around...they were just dancing and totally in love. He stood up when Mimi walked in the room and was sure to make sure she was comfortable and happy. ("Anne, honey...can I get you anything?") When Tom and I were out visiting a couple years ago, Tom caught Papa tapping Mimi's booty as we were walking out of a restaurant. Married over 60 years and the spark was still there. By the time I was a teenager, I always said that my future husband had to meet Papa before we got married so he would know how to treat his wife (Tom did and he does). Papa totally defined the word "classy." This is a picture of us this year at Christmas. I'm bummed that it's so dark but this perfectly typifies a day with Papa. He loved playing games...especially cards. He was really good too. In fact, he would fall asleep in the middle of the game then wake up and beat you. (The falling asleep wasn't a product of old age...he's always done that.) I remember one Thanksgiving or Christmas we were at my Aunt Katie's house in Colorado and I taught Papa a new card game. I can't remember which one it was but I do remember that he made me play him until he finally won. That's a trait that was passed down to my dad and then to me. This is a picture of the first time Papa and Tyler met last March. (Tyler's middle name is "William" which is Papa's name.) It was really cute because Tyler would softly pat Papa's arm or his face. I remember Papa saying, "Seeing this just makes it all worth it." He said something along the same lines at Christmas when the entire family was there which included three great grandkids. We really have a wonderful family and the love, support and leadership that both Mimi and Papa have offered is the reason. I remember as a really little girl thinking, "I love Papa! I wish we could see him right now." I don't know why that little memory stuck with me all these years. I also remember when I was learning to play the piano and he asked me to play "When the Saints Go Marching In" a million times. He loved that song. As I think about him and life he led, I can't help but think of the line in that song, "Oh how I want to be in that number, When the saints go marching in."