Dear Grandpa,

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was having breakfast with you both in the kitchen after yet another Friday night spent at your house. You always made my eggs and bacon just the way I liked them. And no one's toast will ever measure up to yours.

Sometimes it still feels like you're both still here and that I can just drive to your house to see you whenever I want. But we sold your house. I know it's been a year and a half since we lost grandma and six months since we lost you but sometimes I still forget that you're gone. When I do finally realize again that you're gone it hits me all over again. You're still the screen saver on my laptop because it makes me feel better to see your face.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't miss you in some way. Fridays don't feel the same anymore because you aren't there for "pizza and politics". Whenever I miss you I'll listen to the recordings I have of you singing on my phone. Old Shep is still my favorite. But no one can forget On a Summer's Winter's Night.

"It was on a summer's winter's night, two dead boys got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, pulled out their swords and shot each other. An old deaf police man heard the noise, and came and killed the two dead boys."

I'll also hug the pillow my mom made out of your shirt because it still smells like you and makes me feel like I'm hugging you again.

There are days that I can't help thinking about all the things you won't be there for. You'll never see me graduate college. You'll never get to dance with me at my wedding. And you'll never get to meet your great grandchildren. There's so many things that I wish you could see. But then again, you're always watching us from above. We at least have the comfort of knowing there are two guardian angels looking out for us in this world.

Then there are days where all I can think about is the happy memories I have of you and Grandma. My favorite picture is and always will be of me and Travis getting "horsey rides" from you. For as long as I can remember I have spent almost every Friday night at your house just so I could spend more time with you. And so you could cook me your wonderful breakfast of course. The only Friday nights I didn't spend the night were when all of us were at our camper on summer weekends. And even then I spent at least one night in your camper. Those Friday nights will always be known as "pizza and politics" by your grandchildren. Especially me. I'll always miss you randomly bursting into those rhymes and songs that I have recorded.

You lit up everyone's world. There is not a single person in this world that can say anything bad about you. You made your career in the world of politics and even your opponents' had only nice things to say. No matter what you always put your family first because you stressed that family is always the most important thing in a person's life. Thank you for teaching me that lesson among all the other life lessons you have taught us all.

I hope you're up there laughing your jolly laugh and dancing the jitterbug with Grandma. I still wish I could have seen you two dance. I love you.

Your Itty-Bitty