We Love and Miss You, Poppie

Hi little one,
I would like to use this entry to tell you about your great-grandpa, Stan.

Poppie never went anywhere without a coupon. He was infamous for bringing plastic baggies to a casino buffet and filling them with food when he thought no one looking. He was the first one to pull Pita's tail when he walked by, but the only one Pita would cuddle with. Poppie would go to Royals games and try to scam you out of money by trying to distract you while you played quarters. He'd also wear salted peanuts as earrings at the games, despite getting funny looks from other Royals fans ("What is this guy doing??"). He invented the phrase "smell the cake", and wouldn't hesitate to smash your face in it if you were dumb enough to fall for it.

He was also someone who put his family first, above anything and everyone else.  He said a blessing every year on Christmas Eve, and he meant every word. He believed in forgiveness. He helped however he could, even if helping meant just listening. He told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear. He was sincere. More than anything else, he wanted the best for all of his kids, grand kids, and great-grandchildren, and for us all to get along and love each other as a family.

He was a good man, and I can't wait to tell you stories about him as you grow older. One of his last wishes before he passed on was to meet you. He loved it when we took off your socks so he could touch your tiny little feet! Pemberley, he loved that so much. After he was admitted to the hospital, that was one of the only times I saw him smile.

The world lost a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, soldier, baseball fan, and amazing man. His memory will live on in our hearts forever.