The world turned upside down when you were made, the greatest little blessing in the package of a baby boy, the only boy to Mamaw Paula and Granddaddy Jimmy. I cant even imagine you as a kid but I do love listening to all the stories you've told me about eating pimento cheese sandwiches with rocks in them, baths with your pet ferret, fights with Angela and Julie, your mullet, FFA, your high school paddling because of a Mr. Gatti's stop and my favorite story.... when you met Mom.
I'm sure you wanted to turn right back around when you pulled into her driveway and Angela her sister jumped into the car and said "Go, go, go her boyfriends here". But I'm sure glad you didn't. I don't understand why you stayed around because shes a little wild and crazy but I'm sure it was always interesting.... dating a good ole country girl from Holy Cross that didn't even know the rest of the world existed. You were the best thing that happened to her, You know?
From teaching her to water ski, taking her different places like Gatlinburg for y'alls honeymoon, never forget the story about how she wrecked the moped! Shes so uncoordinated and its hilarious. I know you always had to be laughing.... Fast Forward to when y'all bought the house on Woodlawn Road. It wasn't much but it was enough for you two and soon enough Me. THAT'S WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED. I know I had to be a little hellion and looking at pictures and hearing stories, I sure gave you a run for your money until you had Hannah, there are no words for her.
So then the stories grow and time flys by, almost as fast as a blink of an eye.... I remember getting dropped off at Kindergarten for the first day of school. I look around and all the other kids are crying and hugging their parents. I look over at Mom and she smacks me on the back and says have a good day... and before i knew it the mini van is gone before I can even respond. Thank God I met Megan that day because Y'all for sure left me.
Before I knew it I was in middle school and constantly thinking of malicious ways to hurt Hannah... nothing serious just enough to where I could laugh. Like the time we basket tossed her over the trampoline or when you were teaching her to ride a bike without training wheels and I just pushed her down the driveway... should've taught her that the hand breaks weren't her friend.
God gave you a handful when he gave you us girls, I know how bad you wanted a boy. You used to try to make us boys I swear. All the bowl cuts, sports like basketball and soccer, frog-giggin and four wheelin. You tried so hard... but in the end you ended up as a Cheer and Dance Dad, Still laughing at that one.
Now time has flown by just like the boyfriends and broken hearts I've had. I thought you would literally pull your hair out because of all the nights I would wake you up crying. That's probably what started your early stages of Male Pattern Baldness... just kidding we all know you shaved it off when I moved to college.
We had a great ride Dad. Almost as cool as the Top Thrill Dragster you dragged me on at Cedar Point, but our ride is so much better than that one, you cant even compare the two. And just like every roller coaster you come down from the big hill, do a couple loops and before you know it, it's over.
Never would I think our ride would be over this quick. I wish we could just be on it forever, me, you, Mom, and Hannah. Let all the worries and stress of the world and life be the background noise that doesn't even matter because the ride is moving so fast....
I love you so much. I was your and will always be your #1 fan. You were my best friend and still will be. Although you left us unexpectedly, we know you are still really here with us. Mom is too good looking, Hannah is a spit fire that needs to calm down sometimes and I.. well I don't know what I really am but you do, and that's all that matters.
I'm happy your in a better place now but I'm sad your gone. You mean so much to us and truly impacted everyone you came in contact with. You were a free spirit with an infectious personality that gravitated everyone in a 100 ft radius to you. Look how many people are here for you. They all love you. You touched so many lives and had the biggest heart. I am lucky to have had you as my Dad.
Ill see you when I see you.... but until then. LISTEN TO ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU, enjoy it up there and send Mom some Love. Watch over Hannah and Don't forget about us because we will never EVER forget about you.
Life isn't gonna be the same
I love you,
Haley
