AND THEN THERE WAS GRANDPA....


The other day I had the privilege to read autobiographies that were written by two of my grands during their 7th grade year in middle school. These were written over the course of the school year and contained an incredible amount of family and personal information along with pictures, items of interest to them, letters etc., etc.. but what caught my eye and touched my heart was their remembrance of their grandpa, my husband, who passed away three years ago. I read their memories and felt the warmth and love that must have flowed over them as they remembered him with such fondness. I must admit, I had a fleeting pang of sadness over what seemed to be an obvious vacancy of any mention of me! But this wasn’t about me, it was about memories, feelings and love for a man who gave nothing but that….love. I still have time to create memories, his time has passed. His legacy lives on in their hearts. I sat, closed my eyes and let time run through my mind as I recalled the magic of him being a grandpa.

Children gravitated to Dennis, not just our grandchildren…all kids. A quick wink and a smile would cause them to take a step behind their parent, but then very soon they would quietly make their way to his side. He would lean down and very quietly ask them a question or give them a little tickle. Zap! They were goners! Eating in a restaurant with a child hanging over the adjoining booth always resulted in peek-a-boo and wild giggles! Yes, he was ‘that’ kind of grandpa, the kind that couldn’t resist a child nor they him. It was no big surprise when our grandchildren began to arrive how very easily he stepped into the role of GRANDpa. Hannah was the first, the apple of his eye from the beginning. He packed her everywhere, rocked her to sleep, worried when she was sick and as she grew if you couldn’t find Hannah, well, you knew where she was….stuck to Grandpa’s side! It was a sight to behold, this Grandpa with his little towheaded darling.

He found joy in each new addition and they found joy in him. When our adopted granddaughter arrived from Korea, we met her at the airport. Several times Dennis would disappear and I would find him discreetly wiping his eyes from tears of happiness for Nick and Denise. He never spoke very much about the adoption, but those tears said it all. In fact, Dennis never was much of a talker, but when he did speak, people listened, including his grandchildren. Boy did they listen if they had done something they were told not to do! Respect,..that’s it, they had respect for him. It was never the big things that he did that caused the adoration, but all the small enduring acts of love that filled their lives. When they hit the front door running, it was always with a yelp…”where’s grandpa?!” Another adventure about to begin! A birdhouse to build, a toy to be fixed, a game to be played, snowmen to roll. Most anything that needed repair was brought to Grandpa. When several would be here at a time, it was a race to see who got to sit with him on his recliner and many times there were two wedged on each side. No matter though, they were happy just being close to him and he with them. Grandpa made the best birthday cakes ever! They could request a theme and there it would be….displayed on a beautiful hand decorated cake, made by the loving hands of Grandpa! Thank heaven I have all of them preserved in photo’s! A cherished remembrance of the work of Grandpa’s hands.


The grands began to grow, much to his dismay, for he thought it would mean less time with them, less acts of affection, less ‘grandpa time.’ Oh was he wrong! Once adored, always adored! Sports, activities and friends began to fill their schedules, but the bleachers or sidelines in a lawn chair were always occupied by a cheering, proud man! “That’s my grandchild” would often be the exclamation to an unaware spectator at his side! His heart was filled with pride, even if the score didn’t deserve it!

Dennis loved to fish and hunt and camp. He so anticipated being able to do the things he loved with the grands that he loved. Yes, there were several camping trips, visits to the son-in-laws cabin and many hours on the dock, untangling lines, changing hooks, teaching young minds the happiness of the outdoors, but not nearly enough. Luke was his spur of the moment fishing buddy. Oft times they came back ‘skunked’ but full of tales of the one’s that were ‘almost caught!’ Andrew, at times would tag along, but he never had the stay power Luke had. Andrew was just special as Andrew!! Give Luke a pole and a day, and from dawn to dusk his line would be in the water!

Then there were the Canadian fishing trips with SIL Nick and grands Jack and Hunter! Oh my, the excitement! For nights prior to leaving he would toss and turn, imagining the adventure that lay ahead! And what times they had! I’m so happy Jack and Hunter had their gramps all to themselves for those times…..memories, rich, warm memories of a grandpa who took such pleasure in sharing time with them!

It always bothered him that we didn’t have enough time with our son’s daughter Dakota. They lived in Washington and his time with her was so brief. There is a picture of the three of us on our last visit to her and yes, you guessed it…she’s sitting on HIS lap! Just as it should be. A grinning gramps with another beloved grandchild. It’s so sad she did not get to know him as the others did, but hopefully she can see all the love in those pictures. I sure hope big sister Selina (our step grand) knew how much he cared for her too….I believe she did.

And then along came Finn. Cami was pregnant with him when Dennis died. He never got to see that beautiful, rambunctious baby boy. He never got to hold him, spoil him, play with him, teach him…he never got to love him. He would never hear the words ‘grandpa’ come out of his little lips. I know Cami feels robbed of that time for Finn, for she knows and observed the love he gave to all his grandchildren and she so very much wanted that for Finn. I know he sees, I know he loves, as he smiles with pride at the last of his beloved grandchildren.

So now I understand why grandma was not mentioned in the autobiographies! Grandpa was a giant of a man….not in stature but in love. They were blessed to have him, he was taken much to early, but the time God gave him to love and cherish each one will be etched in their lives forever. Amazing love, how can it be, that God gave him to you and me.
We love you Grandpa!

how can i not love you - joy enriquez