Happy Birthday Poppy!

This picture was taken the last time I ever saw Poppy. The girls and I had just spent a couple weeks in NJ while Aaron drove cross country with his mom, moving us to Erie, PA. I was certain the next two years would be full of trips visiting with Nanny and Poppy. We were now just an 8 hour drive away, instead of the 5 hour flight. We would be back to visit often. And we were. But Poppy passed away just a couple of weeks after we moved to PA. I still just cry my eyes out thinking of it. But today is his birthday. He would have been 85. Sometimes I think that's not so old! It's not fair that he's not still alive. There are people older who are still alive. But Poppy never wanted to get old. And I really believe he never did. Hours before he died he was pulling weeds in his daughter's front yard. Who knows what else he did that day, but I'm sure it wasn't "old people stuff".

   I've written so many posts here about him. I don't know what I've already said. I'm sure I've said I miss him. But that bears repeating. I miss him.

     Tonight I cooked Clams Oreganato in his honor. It was my favorite thing that he would make for me. I think part of the reason I loved it so much, was because of how much he enjoyed making it. He would spend so much time steaming the clams, finely mincing the fresh garlic, and dicing fresh tomatoes. He loved to experiment always trying to improve his recipe. Tonight as I made the clams myself I could literally hear him in my head telling me what to do. He was kind of known for that. Telling people what to do, that is. I don't think he's stopped. I just need to listen a little harder, and he's right there whispering in my ear "No, no that's too much garlic." Or, "Yes, good, that's a way. Now slowly... alright... don't burn yourself. Watch out for the steam." Stuff like that. Clear as a bell, I'm telling ya. Once I pull out that garlic and a cutting board it's like he's right there with me. I remember him teaching me to cut out the green part of the garlic because it's bitter. Not to over cook it, because it would get bitter. And you can never add too much butter.

    After dinner we had a special family night where we talked about how much Poppy loved each one of my kids so much. Well he never had a chance to meet Nate, but I know he would be over the moon for him. I want my kids to know how much they were loved by him. How special they are, and how much joy they brought to him. Abigail was too young to remember him, but Olivia remembers. And I'm so, so grateful for that.

   I'm not sure what else to say. I hope he's having a great birthday in heaven with all his friends who passed before him. I hope he knows we all still miss him and love him so much. I know I'll see him again, and I'm grateful for that knowledge. But good golly, I miss that man!