A conversation with Grandpa

The weather today is crummy, rainy and cold.

I'm trying to decide what to grow in my garden this year - I hope we get more sun so my tomatoes grow. I'm doing the usual lettuce, cukes, beans...I might try some spinach this year.

Carl's enjoying his new job. He's writing again, which makes him happy.

The girls are huge, I don't understand why they won't stop growing. Kindergarden in the fall for Charlotte. She's talking so much more, but she's still so shy. Catie never stops talking - yup, just like Mom.

I'm not promising [to behave], but I will try.

Happy birthday Grandpa. I love you and miss you.

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Today would have been my Grandpa's 87th birthday.

Baseball season has commenced, he lived his entire life without seeing the Cubs win a World Series, so maybe, just maybe, they'll pull it off this year. When I tell you I was born a Cubs fan, Grandpa started the legacy.

He had the most amazing garden every year. It was half the size of mine and grew 75% more. Grandpa donated the abundance to neighbors and the neighborhood community center.

That's how people knew him, he was the first one out there to help. He volunteered on election day. He had the biggest heart.

And for those of you who know my politics, you'll laugh that he was a conservative republican who watched FOX news religiously. So when you say to me, how can a liberal democrat think that? - now you know where I learned it.

What I miss the very most, what I could use right now, are his hugs. The biggest and gentlest bear hugs available, that surrounded you with love and protection.