Farewell

How can you ever quite know the impact that someone has on your life. How that person affects your life whether it be good or bad. What would your life be like if you never had the honor (or pain) of knowing them. What kind of lasting impressions that person will leave on you when they are gone. What kind of impression you gave that person during their life. You're pretty lucky if you are able to acknowledge and appreciate the importance of someone special before they pass away.

Drew figured out as a child that he had a special grandfather. One that would be one of the most important men in his life. As Drew got older, his appreciation for his grandfather grew. They shared similar experiences that allowed them to form a very special bond. Drew looked up to Papa. He was proud of him. It meant a lot to Drew to know that Papa was proud of him too. While Drew's days of sitting on the couch with Papa listening to his war stories (ones that Papa remembered so well after almost 70 years) are gone, he takes on so much more than that. 

In one of Michael's books, he wrote that Drew was a man "dedicated to service. Wife. Family. Country." He goes on to say that Drew is "leading a life just as his grandfather and father have. A grand life." There is no question that Papa has helped shape Drew into the man he is. For that, I thank you Papa.   

As soon as Noni would open the front door, we would hear "come to Papa!" Ben would slowly walk over to the Papa's chair and give him a hug. Jack wanted nothing to do with him. The boys would start running around, seeing what kind of trouble they could get into. After awhile, Papa would be ready to spend some time with them so he would entice them over with his light up magnify glass. This worked on Ben every time and he would sit there next to Papa playing with his magnify glass. 

I never had Great Grandparents growing up and loved that our boys were lucky enough to have them. As they get older, they probably won't remember much about Papa but they'll definitely hear stories about him from their dad. 

I've never known anyone married as long as Papa and Noni were. 68 years! They held on strong until the end and I can only hope that Drew and I will be able to spend a lifetime with each other as they have. Noni has proven to be an amazing person and we are so proud of her. Her strength is inspirational. 

On the way home from the hospital last friday, shortly after Papa passed away, Ben asked us why isn't Papa coming with us. We told him that Papa got sick and his body stopped working. You could see his eyes tear up as he said "I'm going to miss Papa. He's in heaven now."