Missing Him

I remember him drinking coffee all day, with two teaspoons of sugar.
I remember him plugging our ears while we drank a glass of water trying to get rid of hiccups.
I remember him calling Grandma "Bee Shit" when she requested that he call her "honey".
I remember him telling stories of growing up in an orphan's home during the Great Depression.
I remember him calling my brother "sparkplug" because he was just that.
I remember him calling me "Minnie Mundt" (Mundt is my maiden name).
I remember him meeting me at the mall when I was in high school because my car wouldn't start.
I remember him being very proud at our (my cousin and I graduated together) high school graduation.
I remember him helping my Dad build a deck and all the arguments discussions that ensued.
I remember seeing him drink a Pepsi.....once.
I remember him telling me if I were a good granddaughter I would sneak him some salt.

He has missed many weddings.
He has missed many births.
He has missed all the birthday parties that followed those births.
He has missed many Christmasses, Thanksgivings, Easters and Halloweens.
He has missed my Grandma's 80th birthday.
He has (thankfully) missed his son's death.

I miss him all the time, but now more than ever when I see Wayne tinkering in the garage all day, because they would be two peas in a pod. I can see them in the garage together for hours, never really accomplishing anything, but having a great time doing it.

Today would be my Grandpa's 80th birthday. I wish we were planning his birthday party, he passed away 13 years ago.