Today would have been my grandpa's birthday. Many of you knew him as Beba. I have never called him "grandpa". He was known to all his grandchildren and their friends as Beba. I lived with Beba for 13 years. Some bad ones (the crap bag year) and some good ones. We then lived next door to him for 7 more before he left us. I have great memories of Beba and all he did for my family.
-I remember the day we moved in and I fell down the steps and bonked my tooth. I sat in his arms on his bed while he sang "Giddy up horsey to the Fair" to make me feel better.
-My sister and I loved to rollerskate and I remember the day the cement was poored on the side of his house. A big rink for my sister and I and a tall basketball hoop went in for my brothers.
-I remember the day the grass was really starting to grow...I was yelled at to get off of it of course. But that long backyard of grass was our "home-run derby field". All day my brothers and sisters would run that lawn playing whatever we could. It seemed so big to us.
-I remember when Beba built me a balance beam when I started gymnastics in 4th grade.
-I remember the hay in the back for the boys bb guns and pellet gun targets.
-I remember the "long" drive home from school in the smoky hot car. He parked in the same spot everyday and we could always count on him right when the bell rang.
-I remember February 13, 1996 when my dog got hit by a car and he brought dinner home. Then on Valentine's Day we had a funeral and he buried her by my window so I could still say goodnight to her through my window. He even planted a beautiful butterfly tree to mark her spot. (Unfortunately it never grew.)
-I remember having friends spend the night only to warn them that Beba would call them George or Sam, then request a dollar to stay in his house.
-I remember him bugging us all the time when we got older...and how Beba wasn't "cool" anymore. But Beba loved me and always let me know how proud he was of me. I had a hard time with Beba's smell as everyone knew...and when I finally got up the courage to tell him, big tears were in both our eyes as he said it was all his fault and how sorry he was. That was one of the last things I said to him before he suddenly left us. It haunts me all the time, but Beba visits me throughout my dreams. He is always in his gray suit, and he is always hugging me and he tells me still how proud he is of me. I love my Beba so much and miss him terribly. I can only imagine the fun him and Camden would have together. I know Camden would have loved him just as the other great-grandchildren did. I miss him so much and it makes me feel good to know that he is up in heaven giving my kids a hard time and singing "giddy up horsey".
4 years ago
5 comments:
Awwwww.....I remember all that. He was so good to us and we were so lucky to be so close to him. He would have had so much fun with Camden. The last time I talked to him was Christmas Eve when I walked him home. He gave me the biggest hug and told me how he was so proud of me. I love that he always let us know that he was proud of us. He knew that it was important for us to hear that. Funny thing, I miss his smell and all his stories. Adam and I are always quoting Beba. The girls talk about him all the time. They still get sad too. And I'm glad I'm not the only one getting visits from him. He's always in one of his plaid shirts in my dreams.
Gosh way to make me cry. I miss him so much too! You girls are lucky he visits you. I have yet to have him visit my dreams. I keep waiting. Hopefully someday. He was the best grandpa ever. The boys remembered his birthday too! Jeff said he and Eric were thinking of him and remembering all the fun stuff too! He is missed by all of us. Carrie said sometimes when she would ask Lexie to spend the night, she said she could'nt because she did't have a dollar. Funny Beba Love Mom
I will never forget the rides with him up to school. Especially when he would stop at a stop sign and then when we asked him why he wasn't going, he would respond, "I'm waiting for it to turn green." Ah memories of that red car.
Sorry I am a little delayed on this but Beba always gave me the best hugs whenever I would see him. Especially after I moved away and would come back to visit. He would always tell me how much he loved my smile. He sure had a way with the ladies and definitely knew how to make a girl feel special :)
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