Dear Pappy

Dear Pappy,

I can't believe that it's been a year since you went to Heaven.  Time has certainly passed by so quickly, and it is still strange that we're all here without you.  You and Nana raised such a wonderful family that I am so proud to be a part of.

Not much has changed with us.  We've continued to get together for every holiday to enjoy each other's company and to eat, of course.  We sure do have some good cooks in this family!

We were all so blessed when they honored you at the Veteran's Day parade in November.  It was definitely one of the hardest parades I've participated in so far.  Until they decide they don't want me to, I will continue to sing at the Veteran's Day and Memorial Day parades to honor your memory.  One of my fondest memories is getting to ride with you and Nana in the car during the first Memorial Day parade I sang in.  I loved how proud you were of me, and when you gave me a kiss after I was done you told the audience that, "It's ok.  I can do that.  She's my granddaughter."  I was in that moment and still am so proud to be your granddaughter.

I miss you, Pappy, and I love you.

Veteran's Day

I do realize that this post is a couple of days past Veteran's Day.  But I couldn't post about what happened on Veteran's Day before it happened, could I?  :)

Every year, the local community holds both Memorial Day and Veteran's Day parades.  Two Memorial Days ago, my grandfather was the Commander of the local American Legion.  He asked me to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" and another patriotic song of my choice at the Memorial Day parade, and I even got to ride in the Commander's car with him and my Nana during the parade!  It was so special, and I'm so glad I did it.  He was not able to attend the other parades since then.  I, however, have been asked to come back and sing in two Veteran's Day and one more Memorial Day parades since. 

This Veteran's Day was a bittersweet one for my family. My grandfather, who passed away in July, was a Sergeant in the United States Army.  He served during the Korean War.  2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Korea. 

Because of this, and because of his passing, they chose to honor him at this year's parade.  They raised a flag, and it will fly in his honor until Memorial Day 2014 when the honor will be bestowed on another deserving veteran. 

We were so blessed to have Pappy in our lives.  I am so blessed to have such a close, loving family.  We all love you, Pap, and we are so proud of your service. 



This picture includes my cousins, my 2nd cousins (the little ones!), my aunts, parents, brother, one of our "adopted" family members, and an even a "cousin-in-law's" parent!  (My uncle was taking the picture.)  My Nana is in the center with the framed proclamation about Korean War Veteran's Day in her hands.