~My Grandpa~

My Grandpa is my hero,

But that you probably know.

A man so special to me,

It's been hard to let him go.

He cherished his family and friends.

His love and appreciation we always knew.

I loved to make him proud with my writing,

So I guess that's why I'm here today in front of you.

Our memories and good times,

Will forever live on.

It's been a hard week, and

I still can't believe he's gone.

So here is a little story.

About a man I love so much.

He's still with me everyday.

My heart will always feel his touch.

We were buddies from the start.

He could always make me smile.

Dragging me across the floor,

Me laughing all the while.

My giggles covered up the sizzling skin,

And afterwards he felt so bad.

But that carpet burn I wore with pride,

Cause I was having fun with my Granddad.

My first birthday I wouldn't leave his side.

He helped me rip apart my cake,

Encouraging the destruction and frosting bath,

Just to see how big a mess I could make.

He loved to hunt and bring home the big trophy.

I was so proud of his hard earned win.

So he would lift me up overtop his head,

And his deer and I were kissing.

His hunting and my little fingertips,

Grandpa and I were good at making a mess.

Both our names were mud,

Providing an even stronger bond I guess.

Talking with Grandpa in his dungeon,

Is where you could always find me.

No one was allowed in our special talks,

That was our quality time, you see.

The day he sat me down on the couch,

He got a taste of his own stubborn will,

When I held a year-long grudge,

With silent treatments and looks to kill.

My shopping habits I got from my crazy ladies,

As Grandpa always said,

But sometimes I snitched Grandmas purchases,

If she knew, I'd be dead.

Ash and I loved to tease him.

He provided us our first lesson in hair.

Making fun of his big baby belly,

But tickling his feet, we wouldn't dare.

He would stick out his teeth,

And we would run and hide.

Playing games and teasing Grandpa,

Laughing so hard we sometimes cried.

He tried to act so tough on the outside,

But his secret we all knew.

His heart was soft,

And his generosity was true.

Traveling across the Western States,

We went on so many trips.

Grandma and Grandpa made it exciting,

With arguing and finger flips.

Grandpa's driving and Grandma's passenger brake,

Our little giggles echoed in the back.

Grandpa would drive miles out of our way,

To find a KOA swimming pool by a railroad track.

Getting lost in Vegas,

Wasn't all that fun,

But he was convinced it was the right way,

Hours later, when we were finally done.

Grandma will tell you he was a bed hog,

But Nate, Ash and I will disagree.

Kicking Grandma out of bed,

He was joined by just us three.

He was definitely a tease,

But we were always out to repay.

Tying his shoes together,

Grandma helped me out one day.

She called him to come and help.

He got up and didn't get very far.

Falling flat on the floor,

With his shoes all ajar.

He was a fighter in so many ways,

But it's what we came to respect and love.

He was strong, and would never back down,

Even the cancer he fought with a shove.

Bowling, pool, cabinet building,

So many things I learned form him.

How not to drop the trailer on the truck.

A car, a horse, transportation on a whim.

He would do anything for us,

And that we always knew.

Making sure we had everything we needed,

Just to make it through.

Now we honor him today,

And it just doesn't seem real.

I know he is with us always,

But it doesn't ease the pain we feel.

Grandpa we are all a reflection of you.

You helped make us who we are today,

And it is in our heart is where you remain.

I guess I love you is all I have left to say,

And that I will miss you so much.

Promise to stay with us, help us get through.

We need you in our heart and memories,

And don't worry, love is forever, this is true.