Sliding

When I was a kid, we kept a spare twin-sized mattress in the basement for sleepovers. This morning, I was remembering how my brother, Ryan, and I would put the mattress over the stairs so we'd be able to slide down the stairs. Crawl up the mattress, slide down the mattress. Isn't it funny what random memories pop into your head at unexpected times? I wish we still had that old mattress...

I guess you could say I've been coasting in second gear for the past couple of days. Friday morning, my grandfather (mom's dad) passed away. In all actuality, he wasn't living anyway. He was subsiding in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson's Disease and lung cancer. He's in a better place now, though we'll miss him very much. Tomorrow is the funeral and we'll be sitting shiva every night between Sunday and Thursday at my Nana's house.

So yesterday I was sharing some Pop Pop memories with my sister, Ashley. Its sad because she is only 18 so most of her memories of our grandfather center around him being sick. So I will share some memories with you all, my fellow readers.

1. Pop Pop worked close by to our house so oftentimes, he'd come over and be with us during his lunch hour. Lunch would be a big bucket of KFC! Or we'd meet Pop Pop at the Roy Rogers for lunch. Ryan and I consumed many pickles at the Roy Rogers Fixins' Bar. We don't even have a Roy Rogers anymore!

2. Since Pop Pop worked for an electrical company, we always had a supply of batteries and flashlights. I was around 11 years old when he brought me a penlight. Oh joy! I was so thrilled!

3. I remember one Passover seder in particular when Ryan, Josh (our half uncle whom we grew up with) and I got into trouble with Pop Pop for fooling around. Dear readers, a Passover Seder is not a time to fool around when you have a very strict grandfather. Yet, it makes for fond memories down the line!

4. Finally, I recall when I was 18 years old and got my butterfly tattoo. Pop Pop had 2 tattoos on his forearms from his days as a Marine in World War II. I guess I was thinking we'd now be compadres, both of us with tattoos. So I was thrilled to show Pop Pop my new tattoo. But...Pop Pop was very dissapointed in me, alas.

May you rest in peace, Pop Pop! We'll miss you!