The legacy

When my family met Mike for the first time, my Aunt Janeen couldn't remember his name to save her soul.

Speaking of saving souls, so much for that Rapture on Saturday. Girls, take note that when you're older, people will try to scare you into a lot of stuff with fear of hell, and it probably won't come true. Although, I was in Wal-Mart at the time that I realized 6PM had passed, so maybe by being in some kind of double hell it kept me safe?

Anywho, Janeen - and everyone else shortly after - began calling Mike Bill about 12 years ago, which he loves, of course.

They still call him Bill to this day.

Well... until this past weekend, when they saw his long locks and began calling him Jesus.

Bring on the Turn water into wine jokes.

As you may know already, we were in Wisconsin because my grandfather on my mom's side passed away from cancer and the complications of fighting a long, grueling battle with an injured ticker.

He was conscious when he passed and had his wife by his side.

The entire family gathered at the Hunting Shack the first night we were together and at the Maple Syrup Shack the second. The maple syrup woods are just up the road from their Wisconsin farm. We made that trek many, many, MANY times as kids (and even further where Great Grandma Maria's house was - the adorable woman for whom Kristin Marie is named who fed us cheese slices and dry wine at every visit).

Needless to say, this land brings back a lot of good memories. I even glanced over to see if any of my forts had held up over the past two decades.

The girls were in heaven. They picked flowers... ahem. These may or may not be legal to pick.

We reminisced. I heard stories about people getting run over by the Stump Jumper and drinking so much as to almost drown in a 3"-deep puddle. Good times.

Pictures surfaced. I think Uncle Jeff - on the left - looks a bit like Harrison Ford here.

At the end of it all, we were happy, sad, and a bit exhausted. The girls didn't want to leave. Mike only left (regretfully) because he was afraid of finding another wood tick on his body.

We were all there, where Grandpa would have wanted us all to gather, singing and laughing and telling stories. This is what our family has always been about.

My grandfather left a legacy of respect and family. He had 9 children, 6 children-in-law, 17 grandkids (not including grandchildren-in-law), and 10 great-grandchildren so far - one being born on Wednesday, just two days after Grandpa passed away.

My aunts and uncles even led one last prost in his honor, with most of us gathered around inside the Maple Syrup Shack:

For everything Dad has built, how hard he worked, the man he was, and what he left behind… for the memory of him, raise your glass in a moment of silence. Take a drink and let everyone know he’s in a better place and how much he is loved. Here you go, Dad. We’ll miss you, we love you very much, and we will always remember you.

I can only hope to be loved that much in my lifetime.

Rest in peace, Grandpa.