It just makes sense to me that in order to be a wonderful Grandpa you must also meet the high standard of being an extraordinary Dad. He did, he does, he has, he always will.
He became a father himself at the ripe old age of 19. He has never stopped working to make a wonderful life for all three of his children and for me too. This man is a gift to us. He has given his children so much more than he ever got himself. Not material things, altho' there is nothing they needed that they went without - it's the real life "stuff" that every child needs that they got. A loving home, the security of always knowing they were always loved, the gift of a strong work ethic, an example of what it is to be an honorable parent. All those good things that every child should have a sense of. He gives his grandkids all that and more. Whatever he didn't get from his own parents, he has made damn sure that our own kids received and he'll go to the ends of the earth to make sure that his grandkids know the very exact place that true and unconditional love comes from.
He loves his children and grandchildren more than life itself. His goal is to know each one of these kids individually and their unique personalities, their quirks, likes and dislikes and to make sure that everything they do together is always FUN!
Since he is by nature, a fretter, imagine all the years that have gone by with him worrying about the success or failure of everything affecting the lives of our family. He has broad shoulders that bare the weight of this hard old world. He worries, comes up with solutions and coping mechanisms, but most of all with just plain hard work and determination he helps get us through whatever we're facing.
His gift to his grandchildren is going to be the wonderful portraits that Miss TJ has taken of them together. He's said, "When I'm dead and gone at least they'll have those photos and all of the memories that go with them." In my humble opinion, it's going to be those wonderful memories that will last the longest! The photos reflect some of his many interests: motorcycles, fishing, football and Nascar to name a few. It cracks me up that his first thought when he found out that a fifth grandchild was on the way way, "I wonder what we'll do for our picture?" What a hoot.
If every child had a Grampa like you, Biker Dude, the world would indeed be a better place for us all. Happy Father's Day today and always with LOVE!!!
