As the days pass and the constant memories run through my head it's strange to think about how someone who has always been there won't be around anymore. It's hard for me to even begin to put into words what Grandpa Fred meant to me. Here's my attempt to share some of the memories I have with Grandpa.
1. He helped me learn how to read.
2. He watched me play a million little league baseball games.
3. He was always glad to take me to and from anywhere I wanted to go before I could drive.
4. He'd ride his lawn mower out into the field and pick up all the golf balls I'd hit out there and bring them back in just so I could hit them back out there again.
5. He untangled my fishing lines when I put knots in them.
6. He'd always offer up his own vehicle so I wouldn't have to drive my own.
7. He taught me how to
$AVE.
8. He said when you make your bed- a quarter should be able to bounce off of it - at least that's how it was in the army.
9. I see myself in him.
10. He always let me test the french fries from the fryer to see if they were done.
11. He took me to see Forrest Gump in the theater.
12. He took me on pontoon rides.
13. He cleaned my fish for me.
14. He'd watch me hit golf balls at the driving range.
15. He'd buy me another bucket after the first bucket of golf balls left me frustrated.
16. He was proud of me.
17. Most kids get a part-time job for extra funds, I would visit the Fred ATM.
18. He always liked his jersey gloves he got for Christmas even though I think I gave those to him for about 10 years straight.
19. He'd always ask how my car was running.
20. He loved his family.
21. He enjoyed when I practiced my saxophone at his house (even when it didn't sound that great.)
22. He was a good vacuumer.
23. He was a wonderful listener.
24. He practiced the "slow and steady" method when cutting grass.
25. He raised my Mother and did a wonderful job.
26. He enjoyed a cold beer.
27. He played croquet with me.
28. He spun me around on the tree swing at the cottage.
29. He was a Christian.
30. He said stuff like "What's the good word?" and "How do there gov'ner?"
31. He loved to sit and watch traffic.
32. He told me how every plane he fixed in the service were all shot down.
33. He made me laugh.
34. I watched the Tigers finish off the Yankees in the playoffs with him last year.
35. He was nice to every single one of my friends.
36. He was married to my Grandma for 61 years.
37. He was as soft spoken as they come.
38. He grilled good steaks.
39. He batted crosshanded.
40. He'd wave to me as I'd run past his house when I'd train for the turkey Trot.
41. He loved to watch the World News with Tom Brokaw
42. He'd always make sure an extra $20 found it's way into my pocket whether I needed it or not.
43. He took me to Unadilla to buy candy.
44. He bought his first car with 600 one dollar bills.
45. He was always early for everything.
46. He bought beer in cases of 30 like my friends do.
47. He loved to plant stuff.
48. He thought about everyone.
49. He went to a church on a horse and buggy and a church with a big screen that comes down from the ceiling. My how times change.
50. He'd always wake up from his nap and visit when I stopped in.
51. He always cared about how things were going for me.
52. He'd always tell me I'm getting skinny.
53. He'd always ask if I was going to keep my beard when I forgot to shave.....I'd say "No Grandpa, I'm just lazy."
54. He liked to sing/hum in church.
55. He wore suspenders.
56. He rode an exercise bike that I think has been around since the Dinosaurs.
57. He didn't get mad when a foul ball hit his car at one of my baseball games.
58. He'd always take naps with his mouth open.
59. Ladies of all ages always thought he was cute.
60. Some of them even kissed him on the head on a regular basis.
61. He spent one New Years Eve with me and we watched a special with Guy Lombardo.
62. He liked Big Band Music.
63. He liked to talk about the weather.
64. He took me golfing at Wesburn Golf Course and golfed with me.
65. He was extremely encouraging.
66. He was a wonderful example of being even-keeled.
67. He'd always ask for help on figuring out the clock in the car when it got messed up.
68. He gave me a glimpse of what I will be like when I'm older.
69. He fell on the ice when he was pushing me on the sled.
70. He loved fried noodles.....so do I, they are delicious.
71. He was great about keeping his cars serviced.
72. He was great about keeping my car serviced.
73. He talked about "Getting up to milk the cows."
74. He never yelled at me.
75. He loved to snack-popcorn, peanut brittle, beef jerky-you name it.
76. He had a big heart.
77. He took me bowling when Galen would visit from Florida.
78. He liked to joke around with my girlfriends.
79. He took me to the hospital when Galen hit my ankle with a croquet ball.
80. He'd pay me to cut bushes around his house even though I'd be glad to do it for nothin'.
81. He made me feel safe.
82. He'd always say "It's my turn already!" when we'd open Christmas presents in order of age.
83. He was supportive beyond measure.
84. He loved to have his head scratched.
85. He hated how much athletes are paid nowadays. He'd always tell me the games were fixed.
86. He wore the same watch since I can remember.
87. He was a great grandfather, husband, dad, friend, and disciple. We are all blessed to have known him and even more blessed to know that we will see him again.
If you could read this Gramps, know that I'm missing you. I'll see you again someday and we can catch up on things. Thanks for always being there for me. For such a little guy you sure had a big impact on everyone around you.
Rest In Peace Grandpa - March 11, 1920 - November 4, 2007
