a bittersweet celebration

November 5, 2001.

I can hardly believe it has been eleven years today that Grandpa Schultz passed away. 

Although I was only nine at the time, he truly did impact my life.

 I can still remember hopping up on his lap, breaking his snooze in the comfy, leather recliner.  As I began to read to him the gigantic, yellow Curious George book at the ripe, old age of 3, he would only chuckle, thinking I had simply memorized the words, not yet realizing I already knew how to read.

 He would always tell me I had bedroom eyes, which made me shudder as my young mind pondered the meaning, which I'm still to this day, uncertain of.

 And who could forget the day he about scared the life out of me. 

"I only wanna see how wiggly it is," he promised, as I reluctantly allowed him to poke at my tooth.  I screamed bloody murder out of shock as he yanked it out, although I can't remember it hurting an ounce.

I should've known not to come to Grandpa's house with a tooth hanging by a thread.

His wooden creations at Christmas time which still cover the mass of my bedroom back home:  Bookshelves, baby doll beds, CD towers, a wardrobe for my American Girl Doll. I was always amazed at his ability to build 15 versions for each of the cousins each Christmas, our own personal elf.  I will keep them forever, until I one day have a little girl to pass them down to.

Our family will be forever changed without this man.

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I want to take a second to celebrate an amazing life as well, as it is my beautiful mother's birthday.  A woman should never have to get that call on her special day and be reminded forever on, each year on her birthday of sad times.  I couldn't ask for a better mother, confidant, cheerleader, or friend. You really are a special woman.It's a lot to aspire to but I cannot wait to be just like you some day. I know Grandpa looks down on you each and every day and can't help but smile :)

10 things I love about her: She is the strongest woman I know She is very successful in her career She has raised me by instilling the same values of independence, She manages to put on a smile in virtually any situation She is my shoulder to cry on when stuff gets tough She is my number one cheerleader I can tell her anything. She is the one person in this world that I would trust with my entire life. She is the most generous being I have ever met. She would never let a single soul go hungry, go broke, or get rained on. I can look at her and laugh because odds are we are thinking the exact same thought.   I don't think I take enough oppurtunities to tell you just how much I appreciate every little thing you have done for me in my 20 years of living. I want to be just like you.

My angel is a woman who walks upon the earth, she shows me my potential and all that I am worth. When I am sick she heals me and makes me feel all better, and makes sure that in times of need that we are all together. My angel has raised me to be good and kind, and makes sure that I have a strong and intelligent mind. My angel is my guardian, my teacher and my best friend, but most of all my mother til the very end ♥