When you think about 93 years ago, you think about a different time, a different era, a different world...
I think about my Papa. The man that carried his family proudly on his shoulders. A man that has seen so much change in the people and the world around him and still stayed very true to his roots, old school farm boy if you will. Always the handy man willing to lend a hand and always the first person most of us called if something needed to be fixed. You took life at a relaxed pace and knew that things would get done when necessary and not a moment sooner.
When I think about you I remember how big your hands were and how I knew as long as I was holding your hand I would be safe.
I remember sitting on your lap and telling you stories and you would always just let me talk and once in a while say "oh" likely to keep yourself awake. In my "grown up years" watching my kids do the same.
I remember how creative and handy you were and how you could make anything out of almost nothing, like the hammock made from an old wine barrel and the water slide at the cottage...not to mention the cottage and house were built, renovated and fixed all by your hands. There was not a thing that I can think of that you couldn't fix. As a kid I remember taking my bike down to you even when all it needed was "a little grease on the chain", and there you were my papa ready to save the day with the old oil can that looked like it came straight out of The wizard Of Oz movie.
I remember all the crazy times like fireworks at the cottage, especially the one time you were throwing the ones that were done in the fire pit and one went off and shot right into the sun porch while you were down by the water lighting another one. When you realised what was happening you asked grandma "why would you do that" haha (there might have been some whiskey involved that night). When I think about it all the cottage memories were so fun and even in your later years I remember how much you liked taking naps with the kids every afternoon.
And even though you had a bit of an adventurous side you were always up for a leisurely walk or a drive in the country. You were always the first person the kids wanted to go visit when we got in the car. Everyone knows that when they left your house you had to go slow so we could see that wave from the kitchen window.
What I will never forget is how kind and soft spoken you were. Like a big teddy bear with the biggest, warmest most comforting hugs. A place where no matter what was going on we would always feel safe and loved.
My son reminds me so much of you and we are extremely lucky to have had your wisdom and unconditional love.
To say thank you for everything is hardly enough. How do you thank someone for such a world of knowledge passed on simply by loving.
We will miss you forever but we will never forget you.
Bye bye Papa, I'm sure Grandma can't wait to see you.
Much Love
Opal
