Grandpa-Part 4

I hope you enjoyed revisiting those memories.

What an incredible life he had 

filled with so many people

and so much love.

Almost 50 years of marriage,

4 children,11 grandchildren, and

 9 great grandchildren.

So many beautiful moments

to always hold onto. 

I am so thankful. 

I was the very first grandchild of those 11 grandchildren.

 When I was born, my grandparents were young. 

They themselves had a 2 yr old. 

Being called Grandpa and Gramma was definitely not

what they were expecting at that time of their lives.

I came home from the hospital to their home.

 I never felt unwanted or as if I were a burden. 

I just grew up there, same as everyone else.

Loved and cared for.

He was always telling us to "Get outside and play",

 "Close the door quick so the flies don't get in!"

 and "Don't let the cold AC out!"

We all loved rides in the 'Thing'.

My favorite was sitting on his lap on the tractor.

 I knew to come home at the loud double finger whistle, 

Does anyone even know how 

to do that? 😄

I was called a dipstick a few times. Brett definitely more:)

He always had a the big box camera on his shoulder recording

 our tricks, skits, holidays, and vacations.

Before the sun came up he was awake. 

Making his breakfast and reading the newspaper. 

I used to cover my nose with my blanket when he would make his bacon.

 Sometimes it would make me hungry and

 my stomach would growl. 😄

He worked so hard. SO HARD.

He walked around tirelessly taking care of all the rental properties.

 Contracting. Running his shutter business. 

Watering....always watering in the Tx heat.

 Keeping everything he grew all over Lasker,

 alive year after year.

He grew amazing gardens.

Fruit, vegetables, and flowers. 

Huge beautiful flowers that would almost

 seem impossible in the Tx heat. 

In high school he drove me to school everyday in his old truck. 

It had this faint high pitched

whine that seemed to get higher as he accelerated. 

Every morning we listened to a garden radio talk show. 

People would call in and ask questions.

 The guy was actually kinda funny.

One day someone called in and asked how to get caterpillars out of their garden.

When I got to school and hopped out, he pointed at me and said 

"You never know when your gonna need to get caterpillars

 out of your garden. I love you" and he laughed and so did I. 

When I was 15 he came in

my room and told me to get ready.

We were going to find me a job.

We drove around for a few minutes and 

then pulled into TCBY-the frozen yogurt shop.

We walked in together and he told

the owner his granddaughter needed a 

summer job.

I started scooping ice cream the very next day🍦

I lived all over Lasker. 

Moved here and there.

I think at some point we all have lived in one or more of the Lasker houses. 

What a blessing.

He would just show up to change the air filters 

or put fresh bug traps in the pantry. 

Randomly ask when the last time my car oil was changed.

He did the things that needed to be done before we even knew

 they needed to be done, a sign of a true leader. 

He was dedicated and thoughtful.

He saw a need and he filled it. 

He was very particular.

He loved his yellow paper and red pens. 

All of the lists, notes, reminders, and calendar entries.

 He wanted things done the right way, the first time, 

so he took his time. 

His office has always been one of my all time favorites. 

I have always been drawn to it and 

all of it's quirkiness. 

He really did have such a cool personality.

Grief is so incredibly hard and painful.

I would say one of the hardest

parts about life is losing someone.

 I have spent hours looking at photos

 crying and smiling.

What I have realized is that pain comes

from a tremendous amount of love.

I have been very blessed to come

from a family that 

 loves hard and passionately.

We will all miss him terribly,

think of him often and cherish these 

beautiful memories.

Until I will see you again grandpa,

I love you always and forever.

💓💓💓