Papa.

I want to tell a story about my papa.

 Quincy and Drake in trailer, Me sitting on Papa's lap.

This is my Grandpa, but we call him Papa.^^

--three years ago, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 to be exact, I was in eighth grade, and it was the day after my mom's birthday. That Monday and Tuesday were very rough days. My grandpa had had a heart attack and was transported up to Olathe Medical Center. I didn't really know how serious it was and I kept telling myself he's gonna make it, he will make it. I had been begging and begging my parents to let me go see him. That Wednesday morning, about 7am, we went to go visit him, it was chilly and rainy. My dad let my siblings wait in the waiting room, while I got to visit him first. We walked up to his room, but my mom walked out, stopping us before we could go in. I remember looking at her knowing something was wrong. “He didn't make it. He's in heaven.” That's all she said. I stepped back, feel onto the empty hospital bed behind me, cold tears began streaming down my cheeks. I was shocked. I didn't think it was real.

A few weeks earlier, which was the last time I had seen my papa before his passing, I had taken a two-week trip by myself down to the farm to be with my grandma and papa in Independence, Kansas and we took a rode trip to see my mama bear in Texas and my cousins in Arizona. I was close with my grandparents, but through the hours and hours of driving, shopping, restaurants, hiking, and chilling during those two weeks we grew a lot closer. As I look back, I question a lot on why I had that opportunity to grow closer to my Papa but then him be taken away. But I am so thankful I got that time to spend with him.

Papa driving the tractor pulling the Grandkids (Me, Audrey, Hayden, Shay, Quincy, Drake, Evan) in the trailer.

 Papa was a very hard worker. I can't explain to you how much he worked. My grandma would always tell him, "you need to sit a relax, you're wearing out your feet!" When ever he we would go to the farm to visit, he always had projects for us to do. He was always on his feet wanting to do more and more.

Me, Hayden, and Drake with Papa.

Papa was an encourager. He was constantly encouraging me, my siblings, and cousins to keep up the good work. Whether it was with school, music lessons, sports, etc. Music was really important to him and he always encouraged us to stick with it. And he always made an effort to come to our piano recitals. Some of my favorite memories are that when we got to see Papa and Grandma we would have a mini “concert” and play our instruments for them and also while sitting around the campfire we would sing songs while either my brother or cousin would play the guitar. I still play the piano today and I love to sit at the piano everyday and know that he would be so proud I never gave it up.

My sister, Audrey walking with Papa on the trails in Colorado.

Papa set a good example. He lived his life for Christ. For his funeral after his passing the seven of us grandkids had to write a short paragraph about who he was or what he was like. I wrote "Papa was like a mountain. Mountains are a beautiful creation, and Papa was a beautiful creation who lived a beautiful life. A mountain points up to heaven and Papa lived his life as a good christian and set awesome examples for his family. I look up to him. I walk through life everyday hoping I can live my life how he did.

Me, Drake, Quincy, and Shay with Papa

   Papa was a fighter. Grandpa had type one diabetes ever since he was a child; he had different illnesses and heart problems throughout his life, a lot of which I didn't know much about. But he was constantly fighting, getting through every day one step at a time. I know that the days before his passing he kept fighting and fighting until God called him home.

Me, Shay, and Hayden riding with Papa in the Volkswagen.

 

Today marks three years. It's been an emotional, hard day. I miss him everyday. I miss his delicious pancakes. I miss riding in the Volkswagen convertible with him. I miss the fun memories. Some days I still am in shock and can't believe its real. But it helps to know he lived a good life and is up dancing in heaven. He never gave up, and I will never give up. I wanna grow to be like him.

----I can't believe it's been three years. I'm missing you more than ever. It wasn't a goodbye, its an I'll see you later. Love you Papa<3