My Cherished Memories of YOU.

Hi Daddy,

This isn't a post intended to make you cry, but when we talk, many times you share all these beautiful memories that you have with me of our family. Some of my brother's and me growing up, memories of your childhood, memories of my grandparents, and the moments in life that you enjoyed. These moments in time are sacred and cherished by you. I can tell, because it shows when you talk about them. And so, these words that I'm writing are a glimpse of memories and moments in time that I have of you that are beautifully cherished by me.

Your lap.

Whether it was for a back rub, because I was sick, or no reason at all. Your lap was my go to place. You would constantly tell me when I grew up that no matter what age I was, I could always come sit on your lap. There was one time I remember specifically that I had taken medicine because I had been sick, and I started to feel dizzy and you let me lay on your lap until I felt better. Not that I wouldn’t sit on your lap today, but you kind of have a little piece of me in Kingston who loves sitting on his Papaws lap.

Your wave.

I’m probably not the only want to notice this, because you do it to this day. I always know where you are because you have the biggest wave and smile on your face. When I graduated high school and every time I’d look up at you, there you were waving. When I hadn't seen you in 3 months and you were almost right dead center of where I was standing at my boot camp flag performance, there you were trying to video and get my attention at the same time. Hand in the air and a huge smile on your face. When my ship pulled into port and I'm trying to spot you out of a huge crowd of family members trying to see their Sailors. It didn't take long to spot you. You did it at Cheer leading competitions. At softball games. Everywhere. You still do this to this day. No matter where we are, if I'm trying to find you I always will with that wave.

Your taste in music.

I remember traveling in the car with you and always thinking, “My daddy is the coolest”. I still think this, don’t worry. You were seriously the best. We would jam out to all the rock bands that you loved and then all the new 90’s songs, because that was my era. It’s funny to me because I could be in the car today and here a familiar song and it take me back to moments in the car with you when I was little. All the concerts you took me to and the ones we went to as I grew up. These are some of the best memories. I honestly can’t wait until you, Alex, and I can take Kingston to his first concert.

Your support and being my Best Friend.

Even now, you are my best friend. If I can’t find an answer to something and Alex doesn’t know, you are my first call. I don’t know what it is. I know you don’t have all the answers, but you are always the first person I want to talk to. A question, your opinion, for advice, someone that will listen. Thank you for always being the one I can confide in. We were inseparable when I was younger, I always wanted to go anywhere with you. From the time I understood and had my own opinions, you confided in me as if I were an adult. Telling me things that not a lot of parents might tell their children at my age. Struggles of all things in life that you may have experienced. The stress that comes along with raising kids and co-parenting. There were times in my life growing up, where I needed you and you were always there good or bad. If we disagreed, your words always stuck with me. If I disappointed you, I hated myself for it. I listen to you, constantly. There is nothing more important than getting support from my best friend. You constantly showed me unconditional love, patience, and most importantly respect as a growing child and adult to this day.

Thank you for these cherished memories I have of you.

Thank you for waving to me through my pre-k window as I cried because I missed you and didn’t want you to leave. Thank you for constantly trying to fix my hair when I asked you to. Thank you letting me listen and sing to the same rock music you listened to. Thank you for being the voice I heard scream GO, GO, GO, as I ran to home base. Even the time I got called the MVP of the game, or barely played at all, you constantly told me you’ve never been prouder. Thank you for watching me cheer. Thank you for waiting for me to get off the school bus. Thank you for trying to teach me math as I continued to get frustrated. Thank you for teaching me to ride a bike. Thank you for showing me how to bait a hook and taking me fishing. Thank you for picking me up as school because I'm faked being sick. Thank you for giving me a shoulder to lay my head on because I was so tired from waking up early every day after I graduated boot camp. Thank you for telling me how proud you were of me in every accomplishment of my life. Thank you for walking me down the aisle, and being the best papaw. Thank you for never judging a single moment of my life.

I have many amazing memories of you and what I've written isn't even half of them. I could write pages and pages. I hope you always know how great of a father you were and still are.

I love you very much.

#beautyinallofit