day 4

today i am thankful for

bubbas

grandpas

papas

or whatever you choose to call your grandfather

today would have been my bubba's birthday

today is kenneth's grandpa's birthday

&

as we are honor grandfathers i will also reflect upon my papa who passed away earlier this year.

all are examples of strong men

good leaders

family men

caring men

and loving men

my bubba passed away when i was five

but in the short time i knew him he instilled a lifetime of values 

he always welcomed me with a smile

he had a zest for life

he cared for others 

as evidence of his career in social work 

he had a passion for helping the mentally ill 

and disadvantaged

he still teaches me lessons through stories family members and friends tell, his writings, and pictures

pictures really can speak a thousand words

my papa passed away february 15 2010

he taught me how to make the best peanut butter and graham cracker sandwiches

which i made for a resident the other day and he told me i must have an 'old soul'

papa taught us how to plant strawberries

gather eggs 

walk a pot belly pig

and the value of a good book

he was particular to westerns but wouldn't turn away any good read

he is dearly missed.

kenneth's grandpa turns 77 today

we would take him out to eat

but he is on a month long cruise to Hawaii

that's just how he rolls

never stops...

he is a retired Major in the United States Air Force

he retired from the University of Oklahoma

he has been married for 51 years

and raised a family of 6 children

he is fair,

honest,

selfless,

and caring

he is one of the reasons why kenneth is the man he is today

we should all be so lucky to have a man like grandpa in our lives

today i am thankful for grandfathers

for without them this world would be a harsher place.