Smelled cigar smoke this weekend and now I know it was you. Think of you often. Love you and miss you.

Thanks for sharing, Tara! You are right, Granner would be so proud. 
So funny that I have gotten my guitar out, practicing some kid songs for my Kindergarteners. Hopefully they will not mind singing really slowly when we change the words from BINGO to PEACH and when we make up rhyming words for the song, Down by the Bay. Five chords is all I can handle. Dad has to be getting a big kick out of me playing my songs!

I love hearing that musical memories are keeping Granner in everyone's thoughts lately because it has been that way for me too! I was just telling my son Kevin how proud his great-grandad must be of him. He auditioned for roles in a musical theater production, had the musical director comment on how much he liked his voice, and was chosen for a spot in a Featured Vocal Ensemble! I reminded him, "You come from a long line of singers!" xoxoxo

It was odd to receive this today. I had marked 2/17 in my mind this week like it had some significance.  I wasn't wrong!

Lynn seems to be following me this year, in music. Twice now I have been brought to tears by two specific songs without warning. Once was at Thanksgiving when I texted Jay telling her I heard "O Holy Night" and had such an overwhelming memory of Lynn singing at my wedding that I stopped what I was doing to enjoy the song and the memory of his voice. 

Just this past Sunday, I was in church and again, the music. "I Love to Tell the Story" was one of our hymns. I was flooded with memories of him singing with an addition of ghosts past sitting/singing in the pews. Most my family, many his friends.

I am honored to have been included in his easy going manner, his good nature, nicknames (Skelly), bags of candy on Friday nights from Blacks, and his music. I will continue to remember my dad and him sitting around a table with a guitar, sometimes a jug, (one for playing, the cans were for drinking) and lots of song...and a plan for breakfast the following day.

Kelly, thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories of Dad! I too have been reminded of him lately. Kim, Jay and I are planning Dorothy's 85th birthday visit and the plans are bittersweet. It won't be the same without Dad there. He has visited me in my dreams, always smiling, always in a good way. What I would give for one more jam session with guitars and jugs! We share some wonderful memories of two special men who we have been blessed to call our dads! So glad they were such special friends.

Spending my February break in the cold Ohio snow. Wish I could call dad so he could tease me about how he was only shoveling sunshine in sunny Florida. So glad Kim, Jay and I spent dad's 80th birthday with him. Will always treasure that moment of sweet surprise when we appeared on his doorstep. Miss him so much!

Missing you this week. Dorothy's Christmas card arrived today without your beautiful signature on it. It was a crushing reminder of the harsh reality that you are gone I am so proud of her for carrying on, and I know you are too. Sending hugs to the sky and hoping they make it to you.

I keep getting on to this site thinking I will just scroll through the photos and smile but somehow the tears keep streaming down my face. It seems selfish to say that we didn't have enough time with you because you lived to be 82 years old! The rest of us will be lucky to make it that far, but still somehow it wasn't enough. I can't believe you are gone and I still don't understand why

Thanks Mandy and Jay for starting this wonderful tribute to Granner. I, too am flooded with memories as I see the pictures and read every comment. Thanks Tara for sharing Grandad's beautiful letter. I will cherish it always. Can't wait for the family gathering on your patio for a sing along! What a heartwarming way to honor the man we all admired and loved.

Your guitar arrived in California today. Even if it takes me a few years, I am going to learn to play that thing and host family sing-a-longs on my back patio in your honor. I might even hand out cigars! Today I signed up for that Voice Overs class I mentioned too, so the ball is rolling. Always thinking of you, and trying to live by the advice you shared with us in your letter. oxoxo

Thinking of u tonight and how you would always hug me and give me a kiss on the cheek when I saw u. I am so broken-hearted that u have left us.

You were a fine man, who lead a full life and a good family. I have been missing you every day. I can't believe you are gone. I will never forget the night of stories and Skype in your kitchen a week ago today. I have no idea if that was 10 minutes or 3 hours, but the shared memories were priceless blessings I will always treasure.

A true friend for 40 years...my ,my the times we had. Gone but never forgotten. More stories to share soon about a wonderful man!

I love the picture of him sitting by the pool. He hadn't changed at all. I remember seeing him sitting on the porch just like that when I came back from Germany last summer. I was so honored that he stayed to share stories. That is my favorite memory of him.

Thank you so much for starting this, Mandy. I am flooded with wonderful memories that I hope over time will find their way here. In the mean time, let me just start by saying this man, my father, was one of my very favorite people in the world. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life.

I dreamed last night that I went to the woods
Seeking a sorcerer-woman who could show me your face
Just one more time.
She sat me down in the dark and damp and put a looking glass before me. 
"You can see him any time, my dear.
You must simply look in the mirror."