a whole year.

I had planned on doing a post with the boys' birthday pics, but will wait until tomorrow because for today, all I can think about is how it's been a whole year since our sweet Papa passed away. 

me and papa Easter circa 1989

I will always cherish this photo of Papa and his three grandkids (+ new grandson-in-law). 
Even if I do have the "it's-August-and-scorching-hot-and-I'm-gonna-pass-out-face. No really, I literally almost did.

There are those who have their grandpas and their "papas" and yes, we had two, but for the past couple of years when we said "our Papa", everyone knew who we were talking about. You see, most of you know that when my dad passed unexpectedly away in July 08', we became the caretakers for our Papa (his dad) who had health problems for years. My grandmother Hall passed away in 06' and my dad was an only child. [Courtney and I are actually the only grandchildren on BOTH sides. Yes my mom was an only child too. We were so spoiled it was ridiculous. Spoiled and very loved]. What an HONOR it was to take care of him for those four years, since they always took such good care of us! Our grandparents kept us in the Summer when school was out while our parents work. They helped raise us. They were our everything!!

he always had to wear his Carolina hat :)

Our mom was a huge help too (even though her and daddy had been divorced for years, she always loved her once-father in law and that woman...well she's the best thing in the world I'm here to tell you!) and we couldn't have done it without her, OR our awesome help Jane who sat with Papa day in and day out so he could stay at home. He was in and out of the hospital, nursing home and rehab for those four years and hated every minute he was there. Fortunately, he was  able to be at home for most of the year before he passed and he took his last breath at home, which was a blessing. He loved being at home with his family more than anything in the whole world!

Oh how I miss seeing this smile and hearing him say "Hey Shugah" as I walked in. When I looked over next door at his house this morning (we lived side by side) I wished more than anything that Cade and I could pull in and have a sausage biscuit with him before I went to work. 

I miss ALL of my grandparents SO much and wish so badly that they could just be here to see the smile on their great grandson's face. Cherish your grandparents. Hug them a little tighter next time you see them. One thing for sure, they are truly a gift!