Grampa,
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much having you in my life has meant to me and to thank you for being the kind of Grampa that others hope for. Of all the roles you've had in your life, my favorites were being my Grampa and being a loving husband to my Gramma. I knew that it was the kind of love that I had to hold out for in my own life after witnessing the love that you had for Gramma. I am so happy that I was able to find that same kind of love while you were still here to share my happiness with.
You have taught me so many things in my life and there are so many memories that I hold dear that involve you. Thank you for being a firm but giving role model for me, especially during the summer months we spent basically living in your basement. Thanks to those summers, I know that there are four very important breaks in a working and non-working day; breakfast, morning coffee break (or first treat break for us), lunch, and afternoon coffee break (yes, this was our second treat break). I have since managed to cut myself down to one treat break each day but sadly, it usually involves something healthy like an apple. For some reason, my work doesn't seem to stock Revellos in the freezer like Gramma did.
I will also forever cherish the nights we all spent watching McGyver and of course, your favorite, the Muppet Show. Though I am surprised that I didn't ever break my teeth on the one frozen Rolo that we were afforded while watching TV with you at night. What a sneaky way to have us savour our treat - freeze chocolate to the point where it's rock hard and you can't eat it right away! It would probably please you to know that Dad still has your chair, the one all of us kids fought to sit in when you weren't there, in the exact same spot it always was. It will probably also make you chuckle to know that Ella and Sam now fight over the right to sit in Grampa's chair. The tradition continues!
Many of my other favorite childhood memories involve you, including:
- the time you took me fishing and were quite perturbed that I chatted most of the day which, according to you, scared all the fish away. I think the fact that I caught a duck on my fishing line topped the day off for you as you declared upon our return home that, "some people just aren't meant to be fishermen".
- the summer that you asked me to paint your carport and I told you that I couldn't because I didn't have any painting clothes. You walked right into the house and grabbed your smallest pair of work pants which we could have fit two of me in, handed them to me and said, "you do now!" I remember having to use string to make them into overalls so they would stay up!
- I loved picking berries for Gramma to make us fresh pies with. My favorite part of picking those berries were the ice cream pails that you made us with a fill line that we had to hit to make sure we had enough berries for Gramma to actually fill a pie. Those buckets, with their string to hang them around our shoulders so both hands were free for picking berries, were my favorite. I also loved it when you would prop your ladder into the blackberry bush for us so we could reach the "juiciest berries".
I absolutely loved spending my summers with you at Hopkins. I loved that everyone knew you and said hi to you. I loved that my Grampa took care of the landscaping at the golf course. I loved that my Grampa had just the right tool I needed to create anything my heart desired. Most importantly, I loved that you and Gramma spent so much time with us and as far as I could tell, wouldn't have had it any other way.
I also would like to thank you for the very savvy investment you made on a piece of property in Whistler before it became the mega resort that it is now. I was so lucky that my family had a cabin in Whistler and that I was taught how to ski when I was three. I love that sport and still love the feeling of being free any time I get a chance to head up the hill for a ski day. I can't tell you how much skiing has meant to me in my life. To be able to travel and experience the unique life of a teen aged ski racer had a huge role in shaping me into the independent woman I am today, sometimes stubbornly independent, but that might also just be the Scottish side of me coming out! I truly believe that I would be a completely different person if I had lead the typical high school life and am thankful that I had the incredible opportunities I did because of my ski racing and it is all because of that investment you made before I was even born.
I am so very lucky to have grown up with role models like you and Gramma. Thank you for teaching me respect. Thank you for correcting my grammar. Thank you for always being interested in what I was doing. Thank you for always supporting me through my ups and downs in life. Thank you for teaching me to never give up - not on life and not on love. Thank you for teaching me that you have to work hard to get what you really want. Thank you for living life every day with a smile on your face. Thank you for fighting for what you believe in - no matter how big or small that fight may be.
Most importantly though Grampa, I want to thank you for agreeing to meet me for my final dress fitting so I could have a photo of the two of us with me in my wedding dress. I know you were sad that you couldn't make the trip to come to our wedding, it made me sad too. Believe me, if there was a way to get you there safely and comfortably, we would have done it. Having the opportunity to get a photo with you meant so much to me and I know that wasn't the easiest week for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the effort to be there for this not-so-little girl who loves her Grampa more than she can express. This is a photo that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I really hope that you get the chance to read this, or that I get the chance to read this to you. You have been through so much and I really hope that you remember the happy times and hold onto them forever. Thank you Grampa, for everything. I love you, I will miss you and I hope that I will be able to share your stories with my nieces so they have a chance to remember you too.
Lastly, please do me a favour when it's time and give Gramma a big hug and kiss for me. Tell her I love her, I miss her and that I still think about her often. I actually spoke about her love of carnations today when I noticed the beautiful purple ones in the bouquet that a dear friend, and colleague, gave me. I find that she still pops into my head with great memories when I need her most. I hope you do the same.
I love you Grampa.
Peace, love and happiness,
Lisa
