Never shall I forget that afternoon, what started out as a normal day in school, that turned into my new reality that I was no longer a granddaughter of a grandfather.

Never shall I forget those words that told me Pawpaw had died.

Never shall I forget the frantic packing of our suitcases, the unnerving phone calls, the passing of the buildings and trees on the way to the airport.

Never shall I forget that everything looked different.

Never shall I forget being picked up by someone else besides Pawpaw at the airport and the quiet respectful drive to my grandmother's house.

Never shall I forget the bluebirds nesting in the box in the front yard...the ones he took pictures of days before he died, and he must have closed his eyes wondering why they had not fledged.

Never shalI I forget the respectful way family buried him that day under a pine tree covered by the American flag with each family member placing a handful of soil on top of his lowered casket saying good bye in his or her own way.

Never shall I forget that the baby bluebirds chose that day to fly away to freedom, just like Pawpaw had done.

Never will I forget the beautiful sanctuary where we held his Celebration of Life service with all of our friends and family gathered with the smell of beautiful flowers in the air and the sweet words that were said.

Never shall I forget being his Cuddle Bunny.

Never shall I forget these things, even when I am 100 and have lived long enough to forget.

Never.