Ever since my grandpa died yesterday I've been thinking about him and remembering our times together. He was a quiet, reserved man that everyone in his congregation respected. He was a leader, a father, a husband, a brother and a grandfather. My most recent memory was about 10 years ago. When Heather and I had Ayden and told my family he had down syndrome, my grandpa looked at him and with the straightest, toughest, wisest face said point blank, "there's nothing wrong with that boy". He refused to admit anything was wrong with Ayden. And everytime we saw him after that he'd say the same thing. Those words stuck with me because he was right. There's nothing wrong with Ayden. He's perfect.
I remembered the swing he made for me and my brother in his backyard out of a 2x6 and some rope. I remember his popcorn we'd have every night I spent the night. He had an air popper and would spray butter flavored spray on it as it came out. It was the best popcorn I'd ever had. I remember when I bought my mustang and took it to show him. He had that reserved tough guy look and told me, "don't get in trouble." The one thing I remember the most is him standing in front on the TV during the news and swaying back and forth while jingling change in his pocket. My grandma hated it and always told him to get out of the way, so he'd move over about 6 inches still blocking the TV. Lol. The last thing I said to him was, I love you grandpa. The last thing he said to me was he is proud of the man I became. I'm gonna miss you grandpa. I hope you check in on us from time to time.