Look Who's Here!

I got an e-mail a while ago that said . . .

There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.

Here are some of my favorite memories of someone who will always matter – my darling Grandpa, who passed away in January.

· Twinkies and Ding Dongs every Saturday morning
· Sparklers on July 4th and 24th on the lawn on 13th Avenue
· Burning my hand on the slide at Lagoon
· Christmas Eve parties
· Christmas morning visits
· Going to bat for me with my Dad who didn’t want me to get my driver’s license
· Supporting me in every way with my choices - college, mission, buying a home, and pretty much everything I ever wanted to do
· Performing Dan & Julie’s sealing right after his heart attack
· Buying a Diet Coke at Costco every week
· Rubber bands around his checkbook
· “Boo-hoo-hoo, crying all night . . .” (Playing Skipbo with Grandma)
· “Is this the boss-lady – have you got everything under control over there?”
· “I’ve read my lessons, I’ve repented of my sins and I’m ready to take the sacrament.”
· “Now – don’t tell your grandma this, but . . .”
· “This is the greatest surprise of my life.” (At his last birthday party.)
· “Democrat.” (At jay-walkers and people who ran red lights.)
· “Tired, hungry and broke.”
· “You work for the Church, you’re rich!”
· “Go tell your Grandma, the word she is looking for is: Amen.”
· “I have created the Smith . . .”
· “As for me and my house . . .”
· “Look who’s here! . . .” (Last visit)

Everyone needs a grandpa like mine. He was always on my side.