The Love of a Grandpa

Aging doesn't make this any easier.

It is as certain as hallmark is getting cheesier.

And you would definitely know that so well.

As you watched all the romance stories continue to tell.

Willing to watch and to just be.

Even though the time spent is never free.

Knowing the smile of your wife you'd see.

And that happiness you can't beat.

The only thing that trumps that is her love for ice cream.

Wishing that we could just go back to that time.

When I was young and stupid and thought everything was fine.

Just a little too naive for my own peace of mind.

Not knowing you'd be called back and that time was confined.

Even as I think about your time on earth coming to an end,

Twenty years together have come and went.

And I still think of all the early 5 am mornings that blend.

Spent on the boat with the wisdom you lent.

Knowing that the stories don't even put a dent.

Of the 83 years that you lived and spent.

Fishing and reminiscing,

Woodworking and shooting guns outback,

Camping and spending time with the family you never lacked

Loving the dog that you claimed you would never love back

Dudley will join you in heaven you were sure of that.

I don't think I'll ever be okay with saying goodbye

And though hiding the tears I will try,

Nothing will come close to all the memories gone by.

And though you have found your new home,

Your passing leaves this family just a little more alone.

Despair and sadness mask us in its cologne.

Even though we know you are among the angels as of now

It doesn't make me happy to think about how...

How you taught me to fish and spend time on the boat

How your love for Grandma kept your marriage afloat.

How you inspired. How you fathered.

Even as your lungs because your biggest bother.

Even as I think about your time on earth coming to an end,

Twenty years together have come and went.

And I still think of all the early 5 am mornings that blend.

Spent on the boat with the wisdom you lent.

Knowing that the stories don't even put a dent.

Of the 83 years that you lived and spent.

Fishing and reminiscing,

Woodworking and shooting guns outback,

Camping and spending time with the family you never lacked

Loving the dog that you claimed you would never love back

Dudley will join you in heaven you were sure of that.

Our last conversation was almost more than I could bear,

Even with all of the death I still wasn't prepared.

Not aware of the tears I couldn't hide.

My phone call with my hand as shakey as the tide.

Comforting me more than I did you,

Knowing that you'd be gone, but I didn't have to.

That I would still be here processing your death.

Memories make this a very hard but happy path.

As you called me Mable and taught me Suduko

And I suspect my love for that can't ever come to

But what I do hope and assume

Is that you are no longer just a human.

You have gone back to the father we share.

And deep down in my heart, you will always be there.

Dwelling with the others that I have lost.

But that doesn't mean I don't hate the cost.

The cost of age and life turned to death.

At least you get all of eternity to rejoice and rest.

But I will always miss you, Grandpa, you were the best.

There's nothing like the love of a Grandpa to show you that.