Happy Fathers Day Grandpa

In my life I have had one constant, my grandpa. He is soft yet stern. Stubborn in his ways and yet willing to listen to your opinions and views but makes it clear he doesn't agree. He loves each of us in his own way. Sometimes in his overprotectiveness and other times in his ability to stay out of your way and let you go it your own. All the while standing in the shadows ready in wait for whenever you may need him. He is the father of four children. He is the father of two girls and two boys. I see how he loves them but each differently. My mom for instance is the protected one. He sees each of her faults but overlooks them. In way only a father can do. He looks past the hard times and sees his firstborn. His little girl. Next in line was my Uncle Herman. He past away almost 4 years ago in August. He was the babied one. The fishing and hunting partner. The one who according to the youngest brother always got the football for Christmas. Grandpa worried about this one. Regretful of a not so perfect childhood perhaps, guilty of the job that often carried him away. Then there is Ben, third in line. The strong one. Loved from a distance the best way he knows how. I don't think he ever worried as much about this one. He's proud of him. His hard work. Grandpa believes in hard workers. Cheri, she is the baby. The one who found her wings and flew the coup. She lives in Texas. She's the spoiled one. Well until she moved away. Something I think he thought would never happen. He loves her just as differently as he loves the others. The baby. The little girl in a yellow dress on his mothers lap as she turned 2 years old. We watched the old home movies of his children growing up yesterday. Of them with their grandparents. I could see the tears as he saw his own dad on film on this Fathers Day. It made me question how many will we have left together? Yet thankful for if nothing else just one more.

Love you Papaw!