'Grandpa' - The Judds

This week my Grandpa Parks would have been 86. I miss him so much. He passed away just a few weeks before our son Parker was born, almost 14 years ago. That's one of the reasons Parker bears the name he does. I loved my grandpa so much, and as the oldest grandchild, I was blessed to have him in my life longer than the rest of my siblings and cousins. It felt like he raised me. The older I get, the more I'm mindful of this gift.

When I think of my grandpa, I remember him like he looks in this picture when he was helping build our house....strong and vibrant, working with his hands, in his coveralls and yellow ballcap. Yellow was his favorite color. He was so handsome and tall, with beautiful wavy gray hair. He loved to give whisker rubs, and nicknames. I rarely see or taste a Snickers candy bar without thinking of him.

One of my most precious possessions is the last thing he gave me. He and grandma were driving through Utah on their way to their mission in Oregon. They stopped to say good-bye, and he pulled a pair of his work shoes out of the backseat and said to give them to someone who could use them. He always wore the same kind of work shoes...with white socks. I could never part with the shoes, and after we learned of his sudden death, I hugged them close to me. They are in the bottom of my closet. I pull them out from time to time and am reminded of what he taught me by example...integrity, honesty, sacrifice, and the strongest love of family I have ever known. I love you, grandpa. I miss you.

Love, Buzz