This is the grandad I want to remember. He worked hard, did a little extra, joked, teased, created, supported.
He refinshed an old piano, destined for the dump, into the beauty that I learned to play on. He drove across country and just walked into Anthony's Thesis show as a surprise, to show his pride and support for our family. He always had a magic trick for Gabe, oftentimes letting him in on the secret. He taught Gabe to draw and how to mow their lawn.
He fiddled with his fingers when he listened to you talk. He said "harse" instead of "horse". He had the memory of an elephant and had to tell the story "right". He would push the cats ears back sooo far til it's eyes got all squinty. He tunneled thru the overgrowth so we could have a secret Hogwarts fort as kids. He threw me up in the air as a baby so high my head whacked the ceiling fan. He took us to Hercules on ice and drowned us in candy. He had us hike a volcano. He caught tarantulas and killed rattlesnakes. He was an artist and created intricately carved clocks and woodwork, pysanky eggs, paintings, and drawings.
I want to remember not just memories but his quirks. The things that made him grandpa. The way he held his hands and pointed at things. His soft voice muttering a joke under his breath. That look on his face when Nana said something he thought was incorrect lol. He had a quiet smirk and a grin and a good tease for everyone.
I'm relieved he has been relesed from the pains and confines of the brain tumor. My heart goes out to my Nana, my dad, and my family. I can't wait to see him again on the other side.
