He arrived just before the 8:30pm kick off time, I let him in through the garage and Asher lit up when he saw it was his Papa. There was laughter and running around the house in the excitement that only a child almost 2yrs old can sustain and enjoy. My dad likes to keep a straight face, but even that reaction brought a smile to his face as he entered the house.
The moment that caught me, made me feel human, made me want to give my son more and made me realize how much I loved my dad, my biggest fan and role model was a simple gesture from a giddy toddler to his Papa. As I was sitting on the couch with my Cleveland Browns blanket thrown over my legs, Asher ran into the Man Cave jumped on the couch with his own Cleveland Browns blanket in hand, sat next to Papa and covered both of them up so he could watch the TV with him.
It gave me a rush of emotions because I remember doing the same with my mom's father around his age, but I only got three years with him before he passed away. Now on the other hand I had years of experiences with my dad's father, we would set out on 5am all day fishing trips, he would come to my baseball games and I would go to his house with my parents and listen to him talk and share stories with my dad. That made me begin to realize that my parents are 60yrs old and I want to make sure he has every opportunity to know, remember and spend time with his grandparents. He simply giggles and runs to his Nana when he sees her(cause she babies him of course), she loves it because according to her he is "Nana's baby".
I have never once before thought of my parents age or mortality in this light until recently, I have friends my age that have sadly lost parents already. I understand that everyone has a "time" and when it comes then the "bell truly does toll for thee", I'm just not sure if I can cram enough memories into life for them or thank them enough for helping me become the man I am today.
