Grand parents

Papas World – Sheltering Day#56 – birthday!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

May 7th. 2020 – 71 years old – Pandemic – Social Distancing

Guess I am always going to remember this one!

My wife Sherry – made it a very special day – but she messed up –

and two days before – let the cat out of the bag.

We were going to practice SOCIAL DISTANCING –

BUT – we were going to use our patio which is very large

over 500 square feet and enclosed by a fence and the house

and each family of grand kids will come at specific times

so no one is here at the same time!

My little buddy would also be here
Bode – this picture taken two years ago
gosh – how I miss them all

The first family of Mike – Debby – Maddy – Ella and Sarah

came at 12:30 pm. They parked outback – walked around the back yard

and into the patio –

where we had seating for everyone but at least six feet apart.

They gave me cards they had made – the three girls –

they always make me special crafted cards.

I cherish them and save each one.

Have since they were little!

Now the whole family except Ella – eats very little meat

so we ordered a pizza delivery –

we paid on the site and they delivered

they do not even see you or knock

they text that the pizza is by the front door and then drive off!

We had also fruit – gluten free chips – salsa – wheat less pretzels

And my favorite cake that we made a special trip to WEGMENS

White coconut cream cake! ( which has been years since I had)

We celebrated by each staying in our own seats – laughing –

and then the text – the second group were on their way.

Time to leave – no hugs – but lots of smiles – kind words.

They left – and then it was time to see the little ones and their parents

same routine – the little ones have followed their older cousins

each in turn made special cards and gave to me

(Tammy – Marcus – Taylor – Cassidy & Bode !

How I miss them all.

They dressed up – the little ones – just for this occasion.)

I guess at my age I am sentimental – but to me –

these are the best presents – the cards

for years and years I have saved them!

It will be fun one day to bring them all out and show them

when they are all grown up!

We spent two hours just the same as we did with the older ones.

Sheltering in place on my birthday – strange no hugs –

no handshakes – but – the smiles and laughs.

Earlier I had gotten a call –

From my two sons back in NWPA –

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD” !

I AM BLESSED – my wife made this all happen –

And the boys called me!

What more could I ask for –

A PUZZLE!

Sherry got me another puzzle – 500 pieces!

And a new warm pull over shirt –

which in this freaky Spring of rain and cold

I SHALL WEAR!

Sheltering in place Day# 56 – best birthday ever –

now to get busy and put PUZZLE # 8 together

glad when this is all over!

Welcome to Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – living healthy through my grand kids !

/ Tom / 3 Comments

A few days ago –

I saw a post that stated ” GRAND PARENTS REMAIN YOUNG ” while watching their grand kids ! Boy – that was right on !

As most of you know – Sherry and I – pick up the twins from school -bring them home until their father picks up the youngest ( only boy grandchild) and then stops to pick up the twins !

Tammy opened her store almost one year ago – Kids consignment store – which is open every day except Monday 10 am. – 5 pm.

So – they needed help and we stepped in along with Marcus’s parents Jennie and Gehard. Since Bode’s preschool is close to them – they pick him up at 1:00 pm. and then Marcus goes after work to pick him up.

Now I must say – I really enjoy my little trip to the school – a little over one mile away. “PAPA – BE FIRST IN LINE ” is what they tell me. Well – even though I am in line one hour before they get out – most times I am second !!! That person must get there after breakfast !But – I use that time to listen and read !

Listening to my favorite radio station – not classic rock or country or rap or whatever else is out there – but ” SPORTS RADIO” 106.7 The Fan! I enjoy kicking back – using a couple wadded up blankets – for a pillow – and just spacing out listening to the talk show. This relaxes me and yes sometime I catch a quick 10 minute power nap ! When I was working – I used my lunch – one hour – every day to do the same thing ! Habits are hard to break !

But – I also listen to these two little girls – talking – conversing and sometimes a argument breaks out ! Now at that time I either look back and tell them to stop or I turn up the radio so loud – that they become silent ! LOL But I find they actually talk so much like adults – on their own daily lives.

Being with them makes me feel young at heart – relating to them – and oh my goodness – the questions are endless – and” WHY” is always asked.

But – then it gets adult like with the answer ” OF COURSE ” or ” ACTUALLY ” or “PAPA” ! I love that – and it makes you think when you answer the “WHY” !

” WHY ARE YOU NUMBER TWO AND NOT NUMBER ONE ” ? I get that one almost every week ! But – how can you argue the fact that life is about staying young even though it might only be a frame of mind !

Turn back time – can’t – capture thoughts words and deeds in pictures – you can – but staying young is a art that we all try to master.

Mine is a matter of mind over physical – thinking – acting and doing! I may not be number one in line but I think I try harder at being number two – after all – “PAPA – WHY AREN’T YOU NUMBER ONE ” keeps me on my toes each week to give a answer and that my friends keeps me young !

#homeagain #HGD #just #JP

Papa’s World – the day they grow up – graduate – 18 yrs.

/ Tom / 4 Comments

Soon – that word – meaning like just around the corner – is about to happen!

Our little grand daughter Maddy – with her “PIGGY” – which went everywhere she went. Just outside Sherry’ s parents home.

She now is 18 and about to graduate and start a brand new journey at The University of Lynchburg, Va. And signed a letter of intent to play soccer.

Maddy sitting next to her sister Ella at Raquet Lake N.Y.

She has grown into a beautiful young lady – who maintains a 4.10 GPA. Playing soccer at a high level.

Here she is with her two other sisters and her twin cousins. With GIGI who sadly passed away last November – Sherry’s mother.

Through the years – when she was almost as small as the soccer ball – she played – co-ed and then onto two travel teams. One in Winchester Va. and then – to better herself- she traveled 60 miles each way three times a week to practice with the Loudoun RED soccer team.

Forever young in my mind.

The years have swiftly marched by – all the games in and out of state have passed – memorable only in so many pictures taken. Now – she is about to take the final walk on stage – graduate and then go on.

Her drawing years ago of her ” PIGGY” as she called it – so innocent on a swing – memory of sweet youth.

The memory of the little girl – always smiling – always so small – everyone else was so much bigger until the growth spurt of the last few years. Today – she is almost as tall as her grandmother Sherry who is 5 ‘ 9″ !

She has grown into her role as starting midfielder the last four years.

Three sisters – the start of college – leaving the home – and two behind.

The years have gone by so fast – the other two will be left behind at home – but her presence will always be felt – her favorite “PIGGY” on top of the stuffed animals – her MANATEE blanket on the wall. The trampoline will only feel the bounce of the younger two. The sound of the soccer ball will be down to one – her memory will remain – but her journey begins.

Her determination – all conference – signed letter of intent- to play college soccer

Today I blog not a end or an old story – but the beginning of a new book – a new chapter and a new page about to open up – the little one has gone into memory – but the image still lingers in my mind – PACA – is what she called me – I think because she couldn’t quite say PAPA – but she made my World – and I look forward to the travel to watch once again. The memory shall always be with me – the little foot striking the big soccer ball -and then the smile and off she would go.

SMILE A SMILE FOR ME MY LITTLE MADDY

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did writing it – my tribute to the little one – the soccer ball almost as big as she is.

#homeagain #HGD #JP #just

Papa’s World – the day they grow up and turn 18 .