My dad is outnumbered - 1 wife, 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters. We have a tendency to convene at my parents house. We're girls so we talk loudly and non-stop. After about five minutes my dad will leave and go to "the store" to hang out until he's sure we've all left.My dad had given up hope of a grandson. We were told that Madison was going to be a boy but she "turned into a girl" after she was born. So when I was pregnant with Hannah my dad didn't want to know what we were having. But as I've previously stated, we're girls and we can't keep a secret (especially Madison). Now Hannah is Papa's buddy. And he absolutely adores her. He's forever giving her money to spend at WalMart, slipping her cookies & tubs of honey butter at Ryan's and supplying her with Cream Soda.
When I was pregnant with Sam, my dad once again didn't want to know what we were having. This time it was Bobby who spilled the beans while we were discussing the relevance of Family Restrooms. We all looked at my dad and he had this big goofy grin on his face. He's always wanted a grandson to pass his "carpenter tools, guns and trucks" to. (Like Bonnie doesn't fix things around her house and I've never shot a gun. And I know Jessie would probably love to drive a big ol' truck around Walhalla.)
Now I also want to point out before I begin this next part of my tale that my daddy is not the affectionate type. My mom has always been the one to give us kisses and hugs. My dad shows his love in other ways (giving us a house, giving money when needed, fixing things for us -he's a giver). So yesterday the kids and I went to the fireworks stand to hang out with Daddy while Bobby went on his 10 mile run. Shortly after arriving my dad took Sam and was holding him so Sam was facing the highway and could watch the cars go by. My heart melted as I watched Daddy holding Sammy - two of the three very important men in my life. Daddy was bouncing Sam on his knee and talking to him but occasionally he would gently kiss the back of Sam's little fuzzy head. I've never loved my Daddy more than I did at that moment. My dad is the affectionate type after all!
My parents can barely work their DVD player and they certainly don't own a computer (if they did I'm sure the great World Wide Web would completely blow their minds!) So I don't know if Daddy will ever read this but I just want to say : I love you Daddy and I'm so proud and blessed to have you as my Father. And you're the best Grandfather in the world!!~Heather
