My earliest memory of my Grandfather is a brief one. All I can remember is him looking down on me while holding me. My Grandpa was a strong man, I hardly ever saw him cry. He was my rock and my shoulder to cry on. He and my Grandma both gave me the love that I needed. In almost every photo that he was in with me, he was always packing me around, comforting me, and taking care of me. In my eyes he could do no wrong...Even if he had me "help" Grandma "trim" the roses. And by trimming I mean letting me wield the hedge clippers and showing me how to cut the roses. Some of them survived the 3 yr old me. I remember how I felt when I learned that my middle name was George. I was so proud to have my Grandfathers name. It gave me a connection to one of the people I treasure most. I could always feel the pride radiating from Grandpa every time he introduced me as Michael George Heath. "Named after his Grandpa," he always said.
There are so many memories of him, I'm sure that you could agree that it's difficult to just pick a few. When I was little and I got to stay over at Grandma & Grandpa's we'd go out to eat at BK or DQ. He'd always ask me where I wanted to go and every time I would say McDonalds. Oh boy...He'd give me this look and say " Mother? Can you believe this kid? McDonalds...?" I'd get that look and grumbles about McDonalds. Then I'd joke about it a little more, and he'd say " Kid, I'm gonna whop you one." I never let him whop me one. My hands always felt so small, plus I'd be looking at a knock out. Grandpa -1, Michael -0. Every night Grandpa would put his teeth to bed, and he'd come out of the bathroom saying "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum... I smell the blood of an Englishman." I am the grandson of an Englishman. He never celebrated St. Patty's day, so I've never thought to wear green for it. Lucky Charms? Not in that house. Calling him an Irishman...First lecture I ever got from him.
He never really talked about England. My family went to vist him after one of his radiation treatments for cancer. I asked him about England during that visit. I had him promise me that one day he would tell me all about it. I reminded him a few weeks ago about that promise, and he told me there would be plenty of time for that.
Grandpa never stopped believing in me or anybody in his family. In high school I struggled with my grades and struggled to graduate. Without the support of my family, I could never have done it. Grandpa always encouraged me to do better...and backing up whatever progress was made was $5 or something from him...that even Grandma didn't know about until just the other day. But it wasn't the money that kept me going , it was my family and the urge to make my middle namesake proud. He'd always been there and will always be there.
Grandpa loved this church. The members of this church are members of his family. He loved all of you so much and spoke highly of all of you. Even that Gil Gillette guy... Grandpa always made people that were new to the church feel welcome, joked with the usuals, hugged all the ladies, and loved all his kids in the church. He believes in every single one of these kids and believed that they would all grow up to be amazing people. He is so proud of you all, please don't ever forget that.
Grandpa, I love you and I will never stop making you proud. I will miss you dearly, but one day I will see you again.
