Sweet Gramps

My sweet Gramps. I can't even being to put into words how greatly I will miss him. This afternoon he passed away. Just the way he wanted, the way he deserved. He was at home, and passed away in his sleep. He was sick with the flu, which came on the night before, and was gone so quickly. My sweet granny wasn't alone, my uncle George was there, which is a tender mercy. It would have been terrible if my granny had been alone. I can't adequately express the depth of love I have for my sweet gramps. I have so many sweet memories of him. My heart is in two just thinking of my granny who is terribly mourning his loss. She is going to miss him so much. Funny thing, he always said he wanted to go first. He said he never wanted to go last because every song, everything he saw would bring memories of her. He loved her so much. The bickered, like a classic case of an old couple, but he adored her. He had an indescribable way of making everyone laugh. And, just about every time I was visiting, he would make granny laugh. He was the most charming, funny, loving, sweet, adoring little gramps that ever was. I have said so many times that I feel SO lucky to have known and had relationships with my grandparents in my adult life, but feel even more blessed that my children have had relationships with them too. Gramps adored Lilly. They had such a special relationship. I could never explain what they had, but I wasn't the only one to see it. He called her "his girlfriend". If you ever talked with him about Lilly, he would get emotional. They just had something special, those two. Lilly felt the same way about him. She loved him, and could hardly stand it when I would say we were on our way to visit Granny & Gramps. I tried to go over once every week or two. One time, I showed up just by myself, and when I got ready to leave he joked and said "You are not welcome here again if you come alone". He loved my girls so much. Almost every time we would leave, tears would well in his eyes. It was so sweet. I saw him last Thursday, and he sang "you oughta be in pictures", kissed me, hugged me and told me to tell my "old man" hello. Today when I left their house, I cried so hard in my car. Leaving without him standing at the top of the stairs was heart wrenching. He was so darling to Anton. He loved Anton, and Anton loved him. More than I think Gramps ever knew. At almost every family party, gramps would have a baggie of peppers in his pocket that he would share only with Anton. We had to miss granny and gramps Christmas morning breakfast because Claire was sick, which was a first for us, and Anton was really sad to miss it. He kept saying how sad he was to miss it. He loved seeing them and laughing with Gramps...which was easy to do.

There will be such an enormous void with him gone. As I spoke with Anton today, I explained what a blessing and comfort to know that I will see him again. I really believe that. It literally warmed my heart to think of the sweet reunion it will be to see him again. He is now with his son, his mom, so many people he loved. My heart is so sad for my granny, she will be so lonely without him. I can't bear the thought of her being alone.

My sweet Gramps. I love you. I will miss you so deeply. Thank you for bringing such great great joy into my life.

Love you.

My Little Claire Bear

So, I think I spoke too soon about Claire being a little grouch. She was a grouch, and still is sometimes, but I think a lot of that had to do with her coming down with a cold, and not sleeping well. I got thinking  the other day all of the darling, funny, and downright adorable things she does and says...and I knew I needed to document them, or I would forget. So, here goes:

* "Mom...I love you SO BAD"

* She always wants me to call her Dark Black Batman

*She could jump on the trampoline for hours - she is so happy playing outside

*Loves to snuggle, and gives the best loves.

* Every night when we put her to bed it goes like this: "Love you...love you more...love you most!"

*She taps her foot. She taps it when she is waiting, when she is eating, when she is playing...it is so random and funny.

*She puckers her lips way up to give kisses.

*Loves to get tickles from Daddy, and her feet are the very most ticklish. 

*She has such an imagination, and will play make believe every day.

*She loves all things Brave, Frozen & Batman. She is going to love our Disney Cruise for that reason alone!

*She loves hot sauce, strawberries, bagels with cream cheese, maple bars, and pizza. She asks for pizza every single day for lunch. 

*Her best little buds are Lilly and her cousins - especially Charlie. 

She is such a happy little bug. I can't even begin to express the immense joy she brings into our family. She is my little buddy, and I love having her with me all day. 

Love you little Claire Bear!