Category Archives: your personality
thanks Ben
Your Mom sent me a text the other day… it was about a conversation the two of you had.
You said:
“Papa is no ordinary grandpa. I don’t know how to explain it… he’s amazing.”
I replied:
OMG Nicole, when did he say that?
She said:
Tonight, when we got home. The kids were talking about going to your house tomorrow night and were all excited.
I texted back:
I’m a very lucky man, and the best part is I know it!
Your Mom said:
they love you so much!
I’m not sharing this to brag or anything, but because it was such a special thing to hear… and for you to say! Thanks Ben, I love you so much.
Here’s my favorite photo of the two of us. It was taken by Molly a few weeks ago!
don’t embarass me
BLOG BLOG BLOG
The other day I discussed the various blogs I’m writing. I explained what they are, what I’m doing and showed you a few posts.
You checked it out, then looked at me and said:
“Don’t put anything on there that will embarass me.”
Ben that is so hurtful… I would never, ever do that! I’m sitting here crying alligator tears as I write this. Sometimes you can be so cruel.
Just to prove I am a good listener and heard what you said loud and clear, I will share these photos:
you crack me up
The other day we were driving together in the Youk… it was you, Emma & Camden in the “way back.” Ainsley was in the second row… I was driving and Grammy was riding shotgun.
You guys often ask us to load a DVD, so we popped in one of the Classic Christmas cartoon series your Mom watched when she was your age.
You were controlling the DVD remote and next thing we know the show is playing … in Spanish.
You thought that was h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s, laughing up a storm with your nearby cousin and sister who felt the same way. Grammy said something about switching it to English mode so Ainsley could understand it, but you weren’t about to end the fun.
It was funny… we were laughing right along with you… I’ve never heard a cartoon in Spanish… and why not? It freshens the boredom of normal and delivers new perspective. Hearing familiar words spoken in a different language made me appreciate all those Dora the Explorer episodes.
When I think back to how shy you used to be, and I contrast those days with your now highly developed sense of humor, I smile with pride. It’s no mystery where you got it… your Mom & Dad have amazing pespectives and automatically find humor in everyday life.
Keep laughing your whole life Ben, it will keep you centered, whole and happy.
the Christmas movie you listened to in Spanish
why you’re special to me
Ben!
You were the one who opened the door… welcoming me into the amazing world of grand-parenting (or in my case PaPa-ing).
I’ll always remember the day you were born… I was holding you in my arms in your hospital room… it was late at night and the lights were low. Grammy was there and of course your Mom & Dad.
I held you over my left shoulder…then in an instant I’ll never forget… you picked your head up off my shoulder – straight up – and looked at me and then around the room. So many emotions rushed through me… What a smart baby! What a strong baby! What a curious little baby! This one’s going places.
I love this little guy.
This was the first time I felt pride in who you were… but it wasn’t the last. That feeling of overwhelming pride has hit me a zillion times since as I’ve watch you transform from shy and hesitant to curious and bright to free and funny to a a competitor and achiever.
We’ve been through some amazing times together, so many adventures. To this day – and always – there’s no better feeling for me than being around you.
Being my first grandchild, it was you & me without competition from sisters or cousins for over two years…we forged such a deep bond. I love the photo of you and me in the “blue room” at my house when you used to live with us. Every night we’d go up there after dinner and play with your Thomas trains… building incredible layouts. You knew every single train name. I’ll always remember how you learned to move the trains so precisely on a sometimes fickle wooden track to make everything run… smoothly. You were keenly observant and precisely detailed.
You were also a free spirit… you loved nothing better than knocking down the spiral roller coaster track I had worked on for an hour… knocking it down was a lot of fun.
At the end of our play time, your Dad would come upstairs and try to ease-into a challenging conversation of “it’s time for bed Ben. You have 10 more minutes.” You hated ending it and would often let him know exactly how you felt. It usually ended badly! You know what? I hated ending our play time too… I could have done it until Midnight every single night and never had enough.
There are so many stories to tell about the Benjamin Baby who became Ben… and that’s why I created this blog… to remember the incredible times we’ve had together.
Thanks for being my special Papa Buddy. I am the luckiest man in the world because of you. I love you.