Dear Pop,

Thank you for being you. You are the glue to this family.

• The one that holds everyone accountable.
• The one that reminds us what family is for.
• The one that keeps everyone positive.
• The one that is the voice of reason.

My first memories as a kid involve you.

• Painting birdhouses.
• Boat rides.
• Playing with the dogs.
• Watching the birds in the backyard.
• Ripping open Christmas presents and tracking Santa online.
• Getting seriously competitive during our annual Easter egg hunt.

My memories of growing up and becoming a teenager involve you.

• You surprised me with my first car.
• You surprised me with a gas card.
• You took me driving every Saturday until I could finally do it myself.
• You encouraged me to try out for every sport.

My memories when things went wrong involve you fixing everything.

Thanks for being a ZTA, Grandpa.

• When you calmed me down after my first car accident.
• When you got me a brand new car after the first one was totaled in a tornado.
• When you had a stroke and the family kept it a secret so I wouldn't worry my life away.
• When we were losing in a volleyball game and I could hear you from the stands.

My memories of moving away from home involve you.

• You made sure I had everything and more for my college dorm room.
• You made sure I knew the directions to four hours away like the back of my hand.
• You never let me leave without snacks after a short visit home.
• You spent countless hours building my dream headboard for my home away from home.

There is absolutely nothing you would not do for our family, and we don't thank you enough for that.

You worked countless years to provide for not only yourself, but for everyone else. You hate when us grandchildren talk about getting a job because "we have the rest of our lives to work." It isn't often when college students are blessed in that way.

You are my motivation to succeed in everything I do. You are the first person I want to tell when I do something great because your approval and praise means the most to me.

You have taught me that life is full of reasons to be happy and that "when things get hot, you have to be the cooler."

You have taught me that giving up is never an option and when you find your passion, you need to do it as often as possible.

You are my best friend, my comforter, my support system and more. The moments when you wrap your arms around my shoulders, look up at the sky and say "enjoy life" are the moments I will cherish forever. Because I have a Grandpa like you, I do cherish life.

You keep me young, Pop. I love you.