Grandpa

Memorial day, 5/26 was the second anniversary of my grandpa's death.

We went to the cemetery and put flowers on the family graves.

It was a sad day.

They say that time eases the loss of a loved one, but there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him and miss him so much.

What I would do for one more day with him, one more hug. I have so much to tell him.

Everyone asks me if it was hard growing up with out my dad around. But I never felt like I did not have a dad because I always had my grandpa or my "pal" as I so fondly referred to him.

Almost all of my childhood memories are of him spending time with me.

He was the one to buy me my first Nancy Drew books that lead to my love of mystery books to this day.

He would come to all my school events, and I was always so proud because he was dressed so nice and would talk to the teachers. Everyone always liked him.

He is responsible for my love of shopping and eating at fine restaurants.

He taught me to always be honest and work hard for what I wanted in life.

But the best lesson he taught me is never to "settle." Always strive for more.

That is why I applied for the promotion that changed my life at the age of 27. That led to Marriott training even when I cried and cried because I did not want to be away alone in a strange city for 6 weeks.

But, in that strange city I met Brett, who had very nice shined shoes... my grandpa always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes!

He was the person that was like my grandpa in so many ways, and the person I waited my whole life to be with. I was so glad that I waited for him and never "settled" for less.

He taught me so much about life that I hope I am passing down to Maxwell.

So, even though my grandpa is gone, I hope he is in heaven looking down on us and can see how important he was in making me the person I am today.

Grandpa, we miss you.