Grandpa...

 As my kids have gotten older I feel a greater loss not having my dad around.  He died a year before I met Adam.  My kids will not have the chance to grow up with him, be teased or tickled by him, or get scratchy kisses from his bearded face.  I want more than anything for my kids to feel like they know their Grandpa Charlie even though they can only see him in pictures and hear about him through stories.  We went to the cemetery on his birthday, just me and the kiddos.  As we pulled in June asked "Is this the birthday party?"  Then she said she thinks grandpas whiskers are funny.  We talked about grandpa.  Charlie loves being named after him.  Charlie had many questions involving things like dying and bones.  He asked "How can someone not die?"  He did not like my answer and started crying.  I changed the subject and we talked about heaven.  We talked about Grandpa looking after us and how much he loves us.  Then Charlie and June both kissed the headstone and went running off to "play" at the cemetery.  I sat there with Nolan and I smiled and cried.  I miss my dad, but I see a piece of him in each of my kids and that makes me happy.  I will remember this day forever.