Grandad
There are several things that come to mind when I remember Grandad.
The first is his dry, witty humor and ornery grin. Half the people in the room or around the table missed his joke altogether - the delivery was so smooth, sharp, and timing was perfect - but if you did get it, you could always catch his eye after and share a sweet moment with him. I'll always remember that look; he was so tickled and pleased.
The second is his sweet tooth. There's a story about Grandad as a little guy, no more than 3 or 4 years old I think, going door to door collecting warm cookies from all the neighborhood ladies. At some point, his mother taped a sheet of paper to his shirt that read, "Don't feed Mikey cookies". That was a long-standing joke in our family as Grandad's sweet tooth carried over well into his adult life. As a kid, I remember he always had a jar labeled "Cookies" on top of the fridge, and we could always count on it being full of homemade cookies. As he got older and baking wasn't as easy for him, I (gladly) began to bake for him, replenishing his supply each Sunday evening when we got together for family dinner. It became something I looked forward to every week: searching for a new recipe he might like, or pulling up an old one he loved, collecting the ingredients, and baking with love, like he taught us. There's something special about baking for a fellow sweet-tooth who truly appreciates and recognizes a delicious treat, and I could always count on Grandad for that :)
My favorite thing - especially in his last years - was to ask grandad about his childhood, or his days as a practicing orthodontist, or trips and adventures he'd taken with family and friends. Something to trigger his memory of earlier days, easier days on his mind and body. He'd light up like a little boy as he told stories with such intricate details and precious memories. Through his stories I saw how much his life and all the people in it meant to him.
Grandad was an avid bird-watcher. We never talked about it, but I think he must have been an avid people-watcher as well. He intuitively picked up on small things; gestures, looks, grins, sighs, masterful in understanding human nature and interaction. I admired his attention to detail, not only in his professional craft but in his personal relationships and way of life.
He had purpose in what he did and what he said. His words never felt like they were chosen lightly. He was so wise and precise.
I am forever thankful that Sam and Jack got to meet, and know, Grandad. Seeing Grandad and Sam connect, sit together and talk, share a laugh, a story, made me happy. I'll always remember when he first held Jack in his arms. I sometimes see Grandad in a look or grin or tilt of the head from Jack. He lives on through his family, and in the resounding impression he continues to make in our lives.
The first is his dry, witty humor and ornery grin. Half the people in the room or around the table missed his joke altogether - the delivery was so smooth, sharp, and timing was perfect - but if you did get it, you could always catch his eye after and share a sweet moment with him. I'll always remember that look; he was so tickled and pleased.
The second is his sweet tooth. There's a story about Grandad as a little guy, no more than 3 or 4 years old I think, going door to door collecting warm cookies from all the neighborhood ladies. At some point, his mother taped a sheet of paper to his shirt that read, "Don't feed Mikey cookies". That was a long-standing joke in our family as Grandad's sweet tooth carried over well into his adult life. As a kid, I remember he always had a jar labeled "Cookies" on top of the fridge, and we could always count on it being full of homemade cookies. As he got older and baking wasn't as easy for him, I (gladly) began to bake for him, replenishing his supply each Sunday evening when we got together for family dinner. It became something I looked forward to every week: searching for a new recipe he might like, or pulling up an old one he loved, collecting the ingredients, and baking with love, like he taught us. There's something special about baking for a fellow sweet-tooth who truly appreciates and recognizes a delicious treat, and I could always count on Grandad for that :)
My favorite thing - especially in his last years - was to ask grandad about his childhood, or his days as a practicing orthodontist, or trips and adventures he'd taken with family and friends. Something to trigger his memory of earlier days, easier days on his mind and body. He'd light up like a little boy as he told stories with such intricate details and precious memories. Through his stories I saw how much his life and all the people in it meant to him.
Grandad was an avid bird-watcher. We never talked about it, but I think he must have been an avid people-watcher as well. He intuitively picked up on small things; gestures, looks, grins, sighs, masterful in understanding human nature and interaction. I admired his attention to detail, not only in his professional craft but in his personal relationships and way of life.
He had purpose in what he did and what he said. His words never felt like they were chosen lightly. He was so wise and precise.
I am forever thankful that Sam and Jack got to meet, and know, Grandad. Seeing Grandad and Sam connect, sit together and talk, share a laugh, a story, made me happy. I'll always remember when he first held Jack in his arms. I sometimes see Grandad in a look or grin or tilt of the head from Jack. He lives on through his family, and in the resounding impression he continues to make in our lives.
Comments
My deepest sympathy to Mikes family. He will be greatly missed.
bathroom. He was often meticulously doing something in the kitchen, on the dock or fishing. And then my beautiful but untrained labs would make their way into whatever he was doing. At first he would patiently shoo them away or ask for the irresponsible owner (admittingly, me) to control them. When history repeated itself he was less than pleased and that’s when I would have to spring into action for real.
In the evenings I would watch Mike with my parents as he and Nikki prepared outstanding meals and fine wine to serve the whole family. His attention to detail and to my parents made my heart warm. What a mutual respect and love there was between them. I miss those days, but the memories serve me well. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
Cousin Marty