Things I remember...

Yesterday, my Ga-Ga finally went to be with Jesus... For the better part of the last 10 years, he has been plagued with Alzheimer's. If you've ever seen the effects of this horrible disease, and I hope you NEVER do, you know just how debilitating it is. It is a slow deterioration of first the memory, then speech, then motor skills, etc... until it leaves you bedridden and completely dependent on those around you.

So, in a sense, I lost my grandpa when I was still in college. However, we used to spend a lot of time in Florida when we were all growing up and thankfully, I have many sweet memories of him.

I remember how when we'd go pick blueberries that he'd wear shorts, flip-flops, a long sleeved shirt and a straw hat... and a BIG smile. That man ALWAYS always smiled... and giggled... Hmm... maybe that's where I get it from... :o)

I remember him tinkering with all kinds of random little projects. I even have an OLD electric skillet with a hand-crafted wooden leg that he made when the plastic one broke... it still has the little red rubber-band on it that he put there over 10 years ago...

I remember how much he loved his critters... usually some ridiculously large and furry cat that had the most peculiar personality... he always found those crazy cats...

I remember this one time that we went to some buffet and he got a PLATE... a DINNER plate, folks, and filled it with softserve ice cream!!! HAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Hhmmm... maybe this is where I get my intense love of ice cream!

I remember how every morning Gi-Gi would fix him this industrial size bowl of oatmeal and put weird things in it... like raisins and milk... and who knows what else... and he'd eat it ALL with this massive spoon. Every morning.

I remember walking endless miles in the red dirt... listening to him telling us about the trees, the birds (he knew EVERY bird there ever was), everything around us. He even showed us how to make toothbrushes out of a certain type of tree sprig... and to look out for pygmy rattle snakes!! They could bite your toe and kill you! :o)

I remember the creek... and sifting through the silt and sand to find the clay... then we'd paint our faces with it...

I remember how when we'd first get there and he'd give us a hug, he'd hold us SO tightly that it hurt just a little - he was always sooo strong... and that his face was always a little bit scruffy...

I remember his laugh... how his whole face lit up... his nose and eyes all wrinkled up with giddiness, and then he'd SMACK his knee and say, "Boy, I tell you!!" And "You know, they say it's all relative!"

I remember floating the river with him... fishing in the river with him... going to Destin & Ft. Walton Beaches with him.

I remember how one time, he stood up for me and believed ME when no one else would... how that set him apart in my mind... how I knew without a doubt that he loved me.

I remember a lot of the little things... his silly jokes, how he'd put a belt around my head when I had a headache... HAHAHAH!!! Wow haven't thought of that in years... he was always helping... always trying to make things better.

I remember his love... his love for his Father above, and his unconditional love for his family.

I remember how much he looks like my mom... she has the same eye & nose scrunching laugh, and the same level of exuberance when she gets tickled... she also has the same servants heart and desire to fix and help.

Those are the things I want to remember... And now, finally, he is not bound by the confines of his imperfect human body and we can celebrate with him and for his restoration... I'm sure Jesus is enjoying some of those silly knee-slapping jokes right about now...

I love you Ga-Ga...