St. Patty's Day--Grandpa's Day

St. Patrick's Day used to be nothing more to me than a fun "green day." I embrace my Irish roots and totally wear green when necessary to avoid being pinched. It has also been fun to find cute t-shirts, dresses, and handmade hairbows to decorate my 3 lovely C's for the day. They can be so darling!

4 years ago, St. Patrick's Day took on a whole new meaning. It was the day my grandpa went Home.

My grandma and grandpa Duke have been extremely influential and important in my life. After all, they were really the only grandparents I ever knew. My dad's folks passed away when I was very young. Having my mom's parents live so close the majority of my life made for great memories. My brother and I, being the only grandchildren for so long (until May of this year when we get our first cousin!!!) had an amazing childhood filled with ice cream in the living room, golf cart rides around the neighboorhood, cheers from the stands at basketball games, and much more.

I haven't truly healed from my grandpa's passing. There are days that the sadness overwhelms me. He passed just days after Christian turned 2, and he never got to meet Caroline. As much as he loved on me and my brother, he loved on my children that much more.
Watching Parkinson's Disease take his body and mind was so hard. I do know he is now without pain and in a new body, but it still hurts to think about his last years on this earth.

Wearing green no longer seems to be a big deal to me on St. Patty's Day. Instead, I prefer to bask in the memories of my grandpa. I know he would be proud to see how the 3 C's have grown, what they've accomplished, and how adorable they are.

I can still hear him saying, "Hey MelissaBeth!" That's how he greeted me, and he was and is the only person to ever call me that. I hope I can keep that sweet memory tucked away forever--so I never lose the sound of his voice.

~Mel