Happy Birthday Granddad!

My father-in-law’s birthday is today. When Christian and I were talking about it a few days ago he wanted to know if we were going to visit him to celebrate. When I told him that we wouldn’t be able to go on his actual birthday since it was in the middle of the week but that we’d visit him over the weekend instead, he was very disappointed. I suggested that we could call him and wish him a happy birthday to which he replied, “I know, maybe we could send him something over the computer so he could really see me”. I told him I thought that was a great idea.

Most members of our family already know about the close relationship Christian has with his Granddad but for those who don’t, these two have a pretty special bond that started the very day that Christian was born and has not wavered since. From the time Christian was just weeks old, Eddie was our best babysitter. He would drop whatever he was doing to stay with him if we needed to be away for something. He never shied away from a single dirty diaper, didn’t mind the spit up on his shirt and cleaned up many a “projectile” without complaint. He took him for walks in the stroller, fed him, read to him and held him for hours on end. And, as Christian grew so did the bond. As soon as Christian began to walk, Granddad would take him by the hand and help him along. He would take him outside and they’d walk up and down the sidewalk “practicing” and Granddad would talk to him, point things out and tell him what they were. They were two peas in a pod.

As Christian got bigger, those practice walks were replaced with trips to the park, rides up and down the boardwalk in the bike buggy, endless pushes on the tree swing and lessons in boxing techniques (much to my dismay). When I asked Christian what things he liked doing best with his Granddad he said, "building sand castles at the beach, playing cards and playing hide & seek". And when I asked why he loved his Granddad he said, “because he gives me Bertucci buns and treats, gives me money for my piggy bank and lets me watch cartoons whenever I want”. To which I replied, “well, you know that your Granddaddy loves you very much don’t you?” and Christian responded, “oh yes, I know that he loves me all the way to the moon and back”.

As Christian gets older it's fun to watch their relationship evolve and change. I'm sure Christian will soon be tossing the football back and forth with you, going fishing and helping you work in the yard. He learns so much from you and looks up to you. He is an incredibly lucky little boy to have a Granddad who loves him so much and cherishes every moment you get to spend together. You are a very important part of this little boy's life and every day that Christian has you in his life is a gift.

So for your birthday here is a special message from your little buddy, so you can "really see him". Happy Birthday Eddie -- we all love you very much.