Memories of the best man in the world

For you that have read the beginning of "The life of a survivor" you know the greatest man in the world in my eyes, my grandfather.  I never got to say goodbye to him and I will be honest I hate Feb. 6th.  Grandpa was Indian and as long as I can remember in a wheelchair except for short periods because he had illnesses.  He believed if he didn't hunt it, grow it, raise it you didn't eat it.  He was Indian and either liked you or didn't, when he didn't you knew it.  He loved his family no matter what they did.  I was always "grandpas girl" and everyone knew it.  He loved animals and nature.  Built bird houses and would take and twig and carve it out to make something beautiful, a lot of times it would be a pipe.  He was the type he could take any animal and make it tame.  I remember a few stories to this effect.  One time grandpa found 3 baby raccoons that had been orphaned he brought them in they got into things all the time and grandma just hated those things.  Soon they grew up and he turned them loose.  Another time I wanted mice for pets.  He went and made a cage and caught some babies.  Brought them to me they ate through the screen wire that he made the cage out of.  My mother caught them in a mouse trap and I went to grandpa crying.  Well, I got more in a better cage.  Another time I remember I wanted a pet pig.  He said "Well sis you go out there and you catch the baby you want and you got it"  I caught my pig and that thing grew up to be a huge hog named Babe.  I remember going out there and Babe was gone, grandpa said he ran away.  The only time my grandfather didn't tell me the truth.  When I reunited with grandma after grandpa's death I found out we ate Babe.  She laughed so hard at that story telling it to me, my kids, and ex husband.   She ended with he sure did love you sis.  Turned and looked at my ex husband and said "If he was alive no one would hurt her again"  I think she knew I was being abused by my ex.

I tried to write him a poem so many of you have these beautiful memorials of your loved ones and I just can't bring myself to do it.  I have a few belongings that belonged to him.  I did have a photo of him and grandma that I just loved.  My ex destroyed it so I no longer have that.  It was the last photo taken of my grandfather when I was reunited with my grandmother she got me a copy of it.  Now that is gone as well.  Please enjoy this memorial of that special man in my life.  He had a heart of gold and I really miss him more then anything in the world.  I know he is helping me fight all of these abusers through Baby James Foundation. 



The only picture I have of my grandfather, Carl Fowler Addison who left us on Feb. 6, 1981




This was a ceramic dog of my grandfathers.  Grandma gave it to me after he died.  He had two dogs that looked like this my great grandmother painted it for him.  He always called it "Tiny" Tiny is rather dusty right now but he always was at grandpa's too lol



This is a dish my grandfather gave to my mom when her and dad got married.  With the agreement it would be given to her oldest when they married.  I am that oldest.  I guess its a candy dish what I always called it.  It is up high on a shelf with Tiny no one is allowed to touch it.



Here is a closeup of the same dish.  If anyone can give me more information on this dish I would really appreciate it.  I know its old someone thinks it was probable in the family and he passed it on.

This is the song that reminds me of my grandfather.  Please listen to the words.  So grandpa my dedication to you. I love you ~Sis~
 "There you'll be" by Faith Hill

"There You'll Be"

When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me

[Chorus:]
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
And everywhere I am
There you'll be

Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me

[Repeat chorus]

'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always

[Chorus:]
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
There you'll be