|
Amber Linn's Papa
How can a Grandpa write a tribute to
one who was so dear to him? You would say
"Hi-ya" when I would come home from work. Well,
"Hi-ya" back. I was there when your little head
came forth, because you and your Mommy needed
me. I saw your cone shaped head, and you looked
so cute. I heard your first cry when Dr.
Harris
gave you that little swat.
Ha ! That made you so
mad. Then they cleaned you up, weighed you, and
measured you, and then dressed you. And I guess
you were glad when they finished, because you
went right to sleep. You looked so cute lying
there, cone head and all. Sorry I missed the day
you first crawled. But you would raise up on all
fours and rock back and forth. It was a "joy" to
watch you. But you did it. Oh how I remember.
We couldn't' keep up with you. And once you started
crawling, you were off and going, even if it was
backwards. Of course the video camera became my
favorite item to grab when you did anything new.
If I wasn't home either Mommy or Memaw grabbed
it. I remember the day you first called me
"Papa". That will make a Grandpa smile for good.
I was so happy. Then you learned the sound of my
truck. You would meet me at the back door
smiling, saying "Papa" over and over again.... I
would put things down and you would come first
in my arms. My stuff would come later or someone
else would get to it. Ha! Besides, you were the
important "one" in our house. You knew that as
soon as I took a shower it was "Horsey Time".
You could barely wait, but you would watch
cartoons until I came out.
Then I layed on the
floor, and you would climb on my back, and away
we went. All over the house, and you smiling and
giggling the whole time, barely hanging on. But
I made sure you were on good. But you know your
Mommy and Memaw made sure you were safe while
the other one video taped us.
Memaw was always
afraid you would get hurt. Ha! Silly Ole Memaw!
You always would laugh when I would say that.
Sometimes we would go right through the kitchen
when Mommy or Memaw was trying to fix dinner.
They would tell us to get out and we just
laughed at them. Your Mommy cleaned house for 3
different people. And she always spent all of her
money on you. She bought you new outfits, shoes,
and anything to wear. She would take you into
your room, and get you all dressed up. Then
Mommy would come out and tell us to close our
eyes. And there you were beaming with a big
smile on your face. Your chubby cheeks were so
rosey. And your big "Blue" eyes just so happy.
Then with hands on your hips, you would wait for
your picture to be taken or the video camera to
go on. Fun was when your cousin Quinton came over
and we had 2 little ones to watch and play with.
We saw your birthday only 2 times. Then on you
and Quinton's second Christmas Santa brought
Quinton a motorized motorcycle. So your Mommy
and your Uncle Scotty put you both on it. And you
both had so much fun, going through the house
and through the kitchen, and Memaw telling you
both to go someplace else and ride that bike. a!
Of course I had the video camera. When you first
starting putting your sentence's together, I
loved telling you how beautiful you were and you
always would say "Tankee" (Thank You) or "Peese"
(Please). When you got a bit older you could say
those big words so plain. Boy could you talk!
lol We loved to hear you talk. You would sit on
my lap and we would sing kid songs. "I'm a
Little Teapot". and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". We could
hear Mommy with you in your bedroom at nite and
you would both be singing " Jesus Loves Me", and
"Jesus Loves the Little Children". Mommy taught
you how to pray every nite,
You would fold your
little chubby hands before we ate, and say,
"Pray". Then you would always remember your
bedtime prayers too! This made us so proud as
Mommy was teaching you this, and to Love Jesus
too! Then Mommy wanted to buy you a toddler bed.
Mommy had a twin bed. She told you that you were
getting to be a big girl now, and she wanted you
to be right beside of her in your very own
toddler bed, and then you would be just like
Mommy! The nite that Mommy and I put the bed
together, Memaw was holding you. You were so
excited. She had you a new comforter set too!
Then we finally got all done and in that bed you
went and yes, we did take video pictures of you,
and that big smile, when you looked up at Mommy,
and said "Thank you Mommy"! In the two and a
half years there was so much to remember. But
then came the day that you and Mommy left. To go
be with your 'father'. I held you that last
day. It was so hard to let you go. Then only 7
weeks later we got that horrible nite time phone
call. The next day, I saw you in the Trama
Center at the hospital in Seattle. You looked so
precious as the day that you left us with your
Mommy. But you were unable to talk, see or
squeeze my hand. God needed you more than I did,
I guess to have called you home at such a young
age. I held you one last time before I had to
let you go. You will always live in my heart and
I will remember you always.
Love Ya!! PaPa
|
