hello dolly

“Hello, Dolly!” Great Grandpa Jay would call out to me when I would run to give him a hug. I know he called all of his granddaughters Dolly, but he said it in a way that made me feel like it was just for me. He always made me feel like I was someone special, his personal favorite. When I was younger, he would always listen to my stories, play games with me, read to me, and make me feel like I was number one. When I grew up into a young woman, he was the first to treat me like an adult. He still called me Dolly, but I loved the name.
Grandpa Jay was well known around town, he was always helping others and doing whatever he could when he saw a need. He was also known for his big goofy ears. Not only were they big, but he could wiggle them up and down, and if he really concentrated he could make the tips of his ears wiggle so it looked like they were waving at you. All of the grandkids tried to wiggle our ears; we wanted to be exactly like Grandpa Jay. I was so proud of myself when I was able to do it; not many of us were. When we would get together he would wiggle his ears at us and I would be able to wiggle mine right back at him. My ear wiggling wasn’t as impressive as his, but then again my ears aren’t anywhere near as big as his!
He was the type of guy who was larger than life, constantly happy and in a good mood. He would have some joke to tell us or some funny story to share and was always on the look out for funny little toys. So caring and interested in what was going on in my life, Grandpa Jay always made me feel loved. Visiting with Grandpa could cheer up anyone. Everyone really loved my Grandpa.
Saying good bye is a part of life, and saying goodbye to Grandpa Jay was one of the hardest parts of mine. He was ninety-three when he passed away. Being so old I should have been expecting it, but he was such a vibrant, exuberant man that he never seemed old. It was his time to go, which made saying goodbye a little easier.
One of my biggest hero’s is Grandpa Jay. He was always so kind, inventive, helpful, and funny. Even near death he was trying to make us happy. He was such a great example to me, I have always looked up and admired him. His outlook on life was always hopeful and sunny. Being around him I couldn’t help but feel the same way.
Life with out Grandpa Jay isn’t quite as bright. I miss hearing him calling me “Hello Dolly”. The little things that he would do are what make me miss him so much. We would always have Christmas breakfast and read the comics together. When I was little he would read to me, and as he grew older I would read to him. The first Christmas we had with out him was really hard. Looking back at our memories, I feel like he is with me again. Whenever I miss him I think back to all of the times we spent together. If I try hard enough, I can almost hear his voice saying “Hello Dolly”.