Friday, September 5, 2008

I miss

We have a picture of my grandaddy framed on a table in our living room. Kate knows this picture well. I can say, "Where's Great Papa?", and she'll run and get the picture. She walks around the house with it and even hugs it. Last night she did just that. Well, you know how you sometimes dream about the last thing you do or see before you go to bed? That's what I did. I dreamed about Grandaddy last night and woke up missing him more than ever. I've been thinking about him alot this week already because Sunday is Grandparents Day. I've never really observed this "holiday" but working in a school that has Grandfriends Day helps me remember it. My Grandaddy was so special to me. He passed away my sophomore year of college. To many, he was a political figure and business man of our area. But to me, he was Grandaddy. I miss so many things about him.
I miss his him walking into a house full of grandkids and saying, "This would be a great place to start a zoo."
I miss seeing him with a piece of chocolate candy in his jaw.
I miss him always having a piece of gum for me.
I miss seeing his black comb on his bathroom counter.
I miss the smell of his aftershave.
I miss the proud feeling I'd get when he walked into a room.
I miss seeing him eat every bite of his Sunday dinner so slowly and making every bite look so delicious that even if I was stuffed, I would want him to share the food on his plate with me.
I miss him slipping me a $20 if I was headed out somewhere (boy do I miss this! ;-) )
I miss hearing my grandma be able to call him "Junior" (she prounounced it June-ya)
I miss hearing him say to us, "Never let 'em see ya sweat."
I miss the movie nights and slumber parties at Grandma and Grandaddy's house.
I miss seeing his black work boots by the door.
I miss sharing hot peanuts with him.
I miss seeing him asleep, sitting straight up, with his mouth open while he was supposedly watching the Sunday race on TV.

I really miss him. He was an amazing man. I hate the fact that he and Kate will never get to meet and spend time together here on Earth. The reassuring thing is that I know we'll see him again one day.
Make sure to tell your grandparents how much you love them Sunday, and everyday.


7 comments:

Suz said...

This is a very sweet post! It reminds me not to take the people I love for granted!

That is so precious that she hugs the picture of her Great Papa! that is precious!

Tara Libby said...

After a summer of loosing so many loved ones, I can truely relate to this. I still have regular dreams about Daddy. I even still find myself wanting to call and check in with him or stop by and see him when I am in Callahan. Cale isnt old enough yet, but it is going to be really hard (for me) to know that he will never really know his Pop Pop. Daddy died just 6 weeks before Cale was born. It was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through (and I had to do it 8 1/2 months pregnant). But Cale has been my saving grace. I cant wait to tell him all about his Pop Pop. But for now I will just remember him as my Daddy.

Lane said...

I relate so much to your post. My grandfather was like my father growing up, since I didn't meet my real dad till I was 18. Thanks for the reminder to remember them on Sunday.

Rachel said...

Hey Hollie - I don't know how we have missed each other, but I think both of us are on every one of my favorite blogs!!

This is a sweet post and you are one of the only people I know that remembers grandparents day like me =). This was a sweet post, you have a sweet sweet little girl!!

Come by and see me!

Anonymous said...

i miss him putting his ever-present toothpick all the way in his mouth before he gave me a kiss.

and, this made me cry. like a baby.

MiMi said...

This post really hit home with me because I miss my PaPa and MaMa so much and think of them so often! They had such an influence on my life. Thanks for making me take some time to reflect on them this morning!

Have a great weekend!

Ali said...

awwwlll.....hol.
i still have dreams about granddaddy at least once a month.
i miss him too.
really bad.
i'ma go get some tissue now.