Dear Pop

Dear Pop,

Happy 89th Birthday! I doubt Birthdays are celebrated up in Heaven quite like they are down here. Something tells me the celebration of life never stops there! I just wanted you to know you were being thought about today down here...More so than usual.

Hard to believe it's been almost 13 years since you went Home. As you know, lots has happened since you left. Kimberly and I both finished school, Kimberly and Justin got married, I survived college, and in the midst of all, that we welcomed your great-granddaughter and great grandson!
I know you held both of them long before any of us did...Still my heart aches when I think about the fact that you're not here to watch them grow. Their personalities are so incredible and I just know you would get such a kick out of them, Pop! Alexis got your work ethic and soul. She works so hard at everything and is so caring! Austin...Pop, he's got your sense of humor...Some of the things he does I know you would laugh so hard at! He loves with everything he's got...And there are times when he looks at me a certain way and I have to do a double take because I swear, I see you starring back at me. So, as sad as it is knowing that you're not here, I know God allowed you to put your fingerprints on them!

Grandma is fine. Lonely, but hanging in there! We visit as much as we can and Aunt Jo and Randy stop by often as well. Still I know she misses you and must crave your company at times.

Mom and Dad are great! Loving retired life. As you know, your name comes up in conversation quite often around here. There are times when it's accompanied by tears, but it's only because we miss you. Mama loves to tell the kids about you!

As for me, well, I think you know. I'm still rollin'. Still working on making my ultimate dream come true, but I haven't made it on the T.V. screen yet, nor do I work behind the scenes anywhere, but my passion still is television and I still pray that doors will open for me to pursue the dream you always believed in with me. I also seem to have inherited your love of coffee, Pop! Bet you never thought I'd be a coffee drinker, huh? I can drink my hot mocha in 100 plus degree temps! I used to think I was nuts, but Mom told me years ago that you were the exact same way, and now I just smile when I think about it.

I know there are countless times you have shown me that you are looking out for me, and I think my college years were times you were working your angel wings especially hard on my behalf. Those moments don't go unnoticed and I appreciate it more than you know. I miss you beyond words, Pop. Everyone told me at your funeral how extra special I was to you....I get it now, Pop. I do. And I'm humbled by how much you loved me and still let me know you love me even today. You were (and still are) my favorite, Pop. Just don't tell the rest of the family, okay? ;-) I hope I'm making you proud.

I have to go now to pick up Alexis and Austin from their first day of school. Now doubt they'll share the details of the day with a certain twinkle in there eye, and I'll know you're there.

I can't wait to run into your arms one day and talk a walk around Heaven with you....Until then, we'll keep moving forward here. Missing you every day, but knowing it's only a temporary ache and that Forever is coming.

So, Happy Birthday sweet Pop.....I love you so much!

Your girl forever,

Nat