Grandpa..

Not all events that have happened between my last bout of blogging and this one have been happy times.  We lost the patriarch of the Atkinson family this past December.  Grandpa was the cornerstone of the family and a huge hole has been left with his passing.  Even though it was not unexpected, it still was extremely hard to say goodbye.  So let me share with you what I think of when I remember Grandpa...  A quick wit with a twinkle in his eye, always a twinkle.  Big, rough, working man hands that could never wait to hold one of his grandbabies.  Suspenders and a belt, the man always had suspenders on.  In the earlier days, coveralls covered with sawdust.  The curliest eyebrows peeking over glasses that covered the bluest of eyes.  Carvings.  Platters for his plate at holiday dinners.  Sitting in his chair and enjoying the chaos of his family around him, soaking it all up.  A hard working man with so many talents and hobbies and a big heart.  I love you Grandpa and miss you.  You are not gone, but forever in our hearts and memories everyday.

We always had to have a family photo together when I came up to visit..  This is baby Maria.

Baby Lillian and Maria..

The three grandkids with the great-grandparents..  I am forever grateful that they had the chance to know Grandpa and what an extraordinary man he was.

He loved his grandkids!  This is Gramps with Lillian.

And Mikey, I love how they are both holding their hands the same way..

My conviction in marriage has been cemented by seeing how much Grandma and Grandpa loved each other.  It was so obvious the adoration and affection between the two.  They were married for 60 years when Grandpa passed.  A love that lasts a lifetime.

Good-bye Grandpa..  You are forever in my heart and always in my thoughts.  Love you.