Dear Sam and Ray,

Dear Sam and Ray,

Your great-Grandpa, Papa Jack, passed away this week and because you are so young still I want to ensure that one day, when you are a little older, you will know about the kind of man he was.

I always called your Papa Jack, "Gramps" or "Popsicle". He was a wonderful Grandpa. I think it's safe for me to say that the great joy of his life was his family. He had 6 children (including Papa John), 11 grandchildren (including me and Uncle Matthew), and 10 great grandchildren (including both of you and Zetta although, more great grandchildren will likely come along). If that weren't enough to keep him busy, he was considered "Dad" or "Grandpa" to a lot of others too. All of my cousins on Nunny's side of the family grew up with out a Grandpa of their own so, they considered Papa Jack to be a Grandpa to them and he never denied any of them of this. Papa Jack managed to keep up with all of us; he always attended anything he could - games, recitals, graduations, weddings, etc. kept him quite busy.

Even with us being in Westerville he met you both with in the first few days of your lives. He loved you both so much and thought highly of you even at your young ages. Sam, he thought you were the neatest kid and you are only 2! He always commented on how smart you are, how you smile, laugh, dance, and grab life "by the horns" so to speak and live it! He always told people that he though you were the neatest little kid; I know you held a special place in his heart. Ray, at nearly 9 months, he was very proud of you too. He loved your contagious smile and your spunkiness. Every time I would see Papa Jack he would always pull me aside and remind me how lucky I am to have you boys and Daddy. He would always say, "You've got yourself some good boys there." He would also remind me that he had 6 kids in the course of 10 years. I think that he thought if anyone is going to be as crazy as he and my Grandma Lil were to have that many kids that quickly it might be your Daddy and I.

I've always thought that Papa Jack was a great model for fatherhood but I came to realize this more yesterday as we were in the car for his funeral. Your Daddy was talking about how important Papa Jack was to him. Daddy's Grandpas passed away when he was pretty young and he really looks up to Papa Jack as a model for fatherhood. Daddy says one of the reasons he wants to take such good care of us is because he feels like it would make Papa Jack proud. We want to be able to show you as much love and care as Papa Jack has shown all of us. He was there for all of us constantly and I'm pretty sure he would have done nearly anything for us. Daddy and I hope we can be as active as Papa Jack was and play with your grandchildren someday the way he would pick the two of you up and get down on the floor to play with you.

I know I will be sharing lots of stories about Papa Jack with you boys as you grow up but if you remember one thing about him remember this: The greatest thing about Papa Jack is that we know the he is celebrating with Jesus right now in heaven. Although we can be sad that he is no longer with us we have the greater honor of celebrating his life and the legacy of faith that he leaves behind him.

Love,

Mommy


(Left) Papa Jack and Sam - Late October 2006 at Papa Jacks house
(Right) Mommy, Ray, Papa Jack, Papa John and Grandma Roberta - May 16, 2008 at St. Ann's Hospital