ella daniel

To Dad, my grandpa: To have you as my grandpa was such a blessing. I cherish the 21 years I got to have with you. I was always told how much of an inspiration and blessing you were to people, and now I can truly understand this. You impacted the lives of so many people. You taught me how to drive and parallel park, even though I have yet to do it in a real situation. You taught me how to mow the yard and enjoy it without it being a chore. You became my math teacher and math tutor and taught me everything I needed to know, I still use your methods to this day. I can hear your voice reminding me of the trick to remember the multiplication of #9. You were never the best cook even though you always tried, me and Lily never forgot to remind you of the time you gave us cream of wheat instead of oatmeal, but you were always ready to try our desserts we made in the kitchen with Mom. We called you our professional taste tester. You created my love for blueberries and I always enjoyed picking them with you. The pear tree you had in the yard was always a highlight of our time together, I would climb up the ladder with a rake and shake the branches as hard as I could to knock those stubborn pears off, all while you stood there with a bucket on your head to not get hit. I always told you to move, but you never did, you insisted on being there with me. You provided for me and my siblings in so many ways and a thank you will never be enough. You taught me how to live my life for Christ and put Him first in everything I do. You were the best preacher and I loved your messages. You inspired me by your faith to dedicate my life to Christ and ultimately be baptized and one day be together eternally. I remember all the times I came to spend the night at your house when Lily had just been born, and how you used to calm me down by telling me to listen to the “Jar Flies” at bedtime. I remember how you would always take me and Lily to the bank on the days where they gave out free caramel popcorn and lollipops. I remember how you took me and Lily when we were little to Walmart to look at all the brand new toys and after we would all go eat at Western Sizzlin, Wendy’s, or Burger King.