Wednesday, June 29, 2022
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I still come back to this obituary to reread and to watch the video. Grief truly has no linear timeline because I think I’ll miss Papa—and Grammy— for the rest of my life. I treasure my many memories of growing up in their house. I looked forward to spending every weekend, even as a teenager (!), with them and with my Dad. They were amazing grandparents who loved all of us grandchildren equally. It was always very clear to me because they would tell me little stories or updates about all of my cousins all the time. They did the same about their children/my aunts and uncles, too. I have too many memories and feelings to share here, but I treasure them all in my heart.
I’ll always miss you Papa, and as a teacher who works with kids who are sometimes going through hardships, as you did at the age of seven, I dedicate any support, encouragement, and guidance that I am able to offer them, to you!
Thank you for taking me on your paper routes, telling me stories about Maine, caring about the environment and global warming, the British comedies, the homemade bread, the deep red tomatoes off the vine, the bitter rhubarb, the library trips, my science fair project (Electric Motor), conversations at the kitchen table, conversations on the phone during COVID while I was pregnant, Christmas cards and gifts, your quiet and calm presence as a grandfather, your honesty in your storytelling- including about your own flaws, your appreciation for my first public speech in a college class on the Fainting Goat (such a random topic but Papa was proud!), computer games, tech help, burned DVDs, asking me about what I was learning in school, asking me about my teaching as a teacher, being there as I grew up, and thank you Papa for giving me so many reasons to grieve, because it’s just the result of having had something very, very valuable, something that is still with me now.
