"I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy, and he'll match me step for step. And I'll tell him how much I've missed him every minute since he left and then I'll hug his neck."

*Brad Paisley, When I get to where I'm going*

I was listening to Brad Paisley's song "When I Get to Where I'm Goin'" today and when I heard the lyrics I have under my picture, it reminded me of of my great-grandpa *Papa John*, who is one of the greatest men I've ever known. The picture above is me on his lap--I was very much a "Papa John's girl" from the day I was born. As the story is told to me, when I was a baby, there were only a few men I would let hold me; my brother, my dad, and my Papa John--anyone else--forget it. :) Papa John died when I was 10 years old, but he still remains such a part of me, such a part of who I am and have become. I was blessed, I had 5 great-grandparents when I was born and had the opportunity to spend time with all of them. I was especially lucky, however, because Papa John and my great-grandmother, Rose, but known to most as RoRo, lived only a few blocks from my school. He would often come pick me up after school, and we'd walk hand in hand back home and all the way I would fill him in on all the details of my day--we'd walk in the door and Roro would be waiting with my after school snack, italian style, made up of spaghetti and meatballs and bread--it was always a treat. Papa John and I had so much fun together, he constantly encouraged my fun seeking spirit from day one--never telling me to sit and be still or quiet--always wanting to play with me, teasing me, and convincing me he had just wrestled the candy monster in the basement , just to bring me candy corn! Papa was always ready to play---my family likes to tell the stories of me insisting he play dolls with me and one time I handed him a doll and he said "what am I supposed to do with this?" and I ever so confidently said "FEED IT." Apparently that gave him a great laugh for quite some time. They have a picture of me and him feeding my dolls on that famous day and when I was high school and had just come home from a month in Australia, my grandma handed that picture to me in a frame as a welcome home present. To this day it sits by my bed and every morning it is the first thing I see when I wake up!! Unfortunately, all 5 of my great-grandparents have passed on--but Brad Paisley's song is a remidner that someday I'll get to see them again and tell them how much I've missed them--it'll bring great joy. Until then, I know they are constantly watching me and making sure I behave and of course Papa John is encouraging me to misbehave a little--that's the way he'd want it. It's funny---some people can only be in your life a short while and leave footprints that last forever. I believe my Papa John was one of those---even as a child, I knew we had a special bond---and still do.

So--that's what my heart was thinking today. Other than that, I had classes and have to tutor tonight, but am looking forward to eating supper with Abby and catching up on each other's days. For now, I am heading for a nap--the cold season has come and I have whooper--maybe I can sleep it away!! :) Happy Tuesday everyone! :)