hey babies,
it feels like i can't go on writing without saying something about grandpa, as he was a big part of our summer. maybe riley will remember him but spencer won't even though she gets excited when we see pictures of him or go to grandma's house. right after spencer's first birthday we noticed grandpa didn't feel well or look well. he was yellow. this later became somewhat of a joke because riley would say "your eyes are yellow. you look like a monster." after several doctor appointments without any clear diagnosis other than cirrhosis of the liver, we were told by doctors at U of M hospital that he had cancer and kidney failure. he was sick. he didn't have a lot of energy to play with you girls but absolutely loved it when he got to see you. upon first walking in the house spencer would look directly to his chair and if grandpa wasn't there she'd start the search. both of you would sit with him and pull out all the toys and things he kept in the cabinet drawer next to his chair in the living room. one day we even went outside and fingerpainted, and while i was at work he would go with you and daddy to the park.
it was the end of august when he went to heaven. a few hours before that i took you both to red robin for dinner. daddy was at the hospital. we were driving past their street and riley said "grandpa's tummy is all better. it doesn't hurt anymore. he's at the store getting a band-aid." i've never felt more pain than when i knew either of you would never see him again nor get to know him better--or, for that fact, remember how totally cool he was but you didn't know it yet. we still talk to him even though he's not here and tell you that he sees everything you girls are doing. one day at the park, daddy told riley that grandpa could see her and she looked all over the place thinking she'd see him somewhere. riley still says things like "when grandpa comes back from heaven" so it will take some time before she really gets what heaven is.
he's the only one who could call you "little s__" and i wouldn't mind. he helped us put together the fish tank and he bought a good filter for it. everytime he was over he would check on the fish. he loved going to pet stores with you and seeing your reactions to all the little animals and fish. there was a big macaw at greenwood's that was out of its cage and spencer had never been so excited in her life. he got a real kick out of that. he may have been a grump but he accepted people for who they are. i think that is the best lesson he ever taught us.
