Oo-Rah!

It has been 11 days since my Grandpa John passed away. Some days I forget, but the flowers decorating my mom's kitchen table and living room remind me that it will be a long time before I see him again.

On the day of his funeral I had this song stuck in my head and felt, although from a children's movie, it expressed how I felt almost perfectly.

The day after his passing I woke up and thought, "this is the first day that I no longer have a grandpa."
No one to call me Lil Anna, regardless of how old I got, the way that only Grandpa John could. I guess with his 6 foot+ height I would always been smaller than him. He was a great man that always worked hard, and knew how to fix pretty much everything. I feel like the poem below, written by my uncle, says a lot about the man my grandpa was. He raised his kids to work hard. I know my mom has passed that on to me.

A tribute to my Dad as written by my uncle Steve

The boots on the porch were heavy and beat.
As a small boy I'd put 'em on - they were huge on my feet.

The miles and jobs those boots went through.
The blood, the sweat and the freezing too.

Those boots drove buses, semi's and worked in steel plants
The tops never got burned 'cause they were under his pants.

Up mountains, through rivers, chasing buck, catching fish.
Family camping in campers that were road worthy-ish.

Without hesitation, those boots went overseas
To fight for the country and be a Marine.

Those boots carried a big, big man
With a heart of gold, sledge hammer body, with huge calloused hands.

The boots on the porch were heavy and beat
And now I look down and those boots are on me.

I am part of a great legacy. I feel like I have a lot to live up to. When I get to the other side I feel that my grandpa will be waiting for a report what I have done with his name and legacy he left to me. I hope to live my life ready to help those that need it with whatever skills I have, just like grandpa. Continue to gain new skills so that I can help my family and those around me. No matter how long and full my days may be, come home and spend meaningful time with my family, like grandpa. Do better at working hard and making sure I teach my children to do the same, like grandpa. And finally,  make those around me feel like they matter to me, no matter who they are, just  like grandpa did to every single person he ever met.

I will miss my Grandpa John and his big grin. At his funeral there were many nice things said and great stories told about him. The Marines were there, Taps was played, I cried for the fallen Marine who readily served his country and all those around him. Oo-rah Grandpa.