Pop,

Words can not describe how heart-breaking and sad it has made me to see you like this. I have never wanted to witness you in a way that can't get out of bed or move. You have been the strongest person I have ever known. You taught me how to be strong and how to keep myself from breaking down through struggles.

I will miss Christmas Eve in your log cabin in Mebane where we would open presents and just have a good time. It is definitely a memory that I will not forget. Or the times you would come to the house in your Cadillac and picking me up so you could go and buy me something for my birthday, Christmas or whatever holiday it might have been. You would even wag your finger at me and tell me to be surprised the day of. Birthdays, Christmas, and every other holiday is not the same without you sitting on the couch and laughing.

To that one Christmas night when you gave me maw-maw's ring. I felt so honored and so proud to be able to wear that. I don't wear it everyday of course but I wear it to feel close to her and you.

You could always light up a room whenever you walked in it. To the Shrine Club to our den to even your condo. It isn't matter the place, everybody knew you were there.

Dancing with you for Christine's wedding was a memory will never forget. You dance better than I do. You would always grab someone and whirl them onto the dance floor. It always made me laugh and smile to see you smile. You always put a smile on my face.

Driving 8 1/2 hours to Rockwood, Tennessee at 3 o'clock in the morning was not something I looked forward too. I what I looked forward to was hearing your laughter and off-key singing to blue grass music that woke me up at 7 o'clock. Sure, I was grumpy but it still made me laugh to hear you singing badly on purpose.

You were the one person I could count on when mom and dad had something to do. We would go out to eat with Christine and have a fun time just being together.

Back then I didn't know or care what your age was or that horrible diseases were catching up to you. All I cared about was that you are my grandfather and I wouldn't ask for a better one. Holding your hand every time I see you still reminds me of the good times we had together. I wouldn't want to change anything that I know and will be keeping dear to my heart each and every day.

I love you, pop.