Happy Birthday Grandpa.

 This last week has been exceptionally hard for me... Yesterday was the one Year Anniversary of my Grandfathers passing. Today is his birthday.

 Ok, I'm not gonna lie... May has been a Hard Month all around. But I really can't complain, sure I feel Pain, I feel sorrow, the memories flood my brain till they flow from my eyes. Work has been exceptionally slow, I'm another year older... and feeling it, oh... and I tried to chop my finger off, but that's actually a funny story in and of itself.

 Here's the thing, even though it's comin' at me on all fronts... I'm fine. Happy, finding Joy in everything and continuing to live on the best way I know how. Because not only is that what my Grandfather would want, but it's what my Father has always wanted for me. So I give thanks and praise to him everyday. For the Air that I breathe, the Light that I see and the sounds of my Children laughing, because they are my Delight. My Exceptional and Beautiful Wife, Work that is not work for me at all, because I love what I do. I'm blessed and Glory be to God for every one of these Blessings and Gifting's!

 I know this sounds all Crazy Christian'eze... But, what other excuse could I have? I have every right to be deeply saddened, morose and otherwise spiteful... but what would that really get me? Would I be a productive person at all? Could I stand on two feet and say, "Bring it on, give me your worst!"? But I can! I can, because I know there is much more to Life than feeling bad all day. There is too much Joy in my Faith and my World to be down. Look I'm not blessed with all the right words, don't judge me because I don't sit here a quote verse from memory, that's the easy part... walking it out is the hard part and facing every other face in the crowd who looks down on you because you Celebrate your Faith. Not the "Religion" you've been boxed into. They would like to Label you "Weak Minded" or "Just another Sheep". "Christian", "Religious"...boxed in. I consider myself a "Christ Follower" not a "Christian". Don't Label me, or try to Box me in. Because those who really know me, don't. They just Love and be Loved. Look no one ever said following Christ was going to be easy, it's a good thing he's always next to me and behind me, too... otherwise there would be no Joy in the struggle. I see God in everything. The first person to ever explain that to me, in detail, but simple enough for a Child to understand, is no longer here with me. But I can hear his Voice inside my Head and remember all that he taught me.

 I miss you so very much Grandpa. You Raised me in your home, under your Rules and Authority. You showed me Responsibility, Trust, Faith, Loyalty, Honor, Kindness, How to Love and how to be Loved. You gave me Strength when I needed it and Mercy when I didn't deserve it at all... you saw past my Flaws and taught me how to see past others. Always a Gentleman, and a Defender when called. You showed me what it means to be a Husband, Father, Son and a Man.

 ...You left me some big shoes to fill, thank God we always wore the same size.

Happy Birthday Grandpa.

Your Grandson,
-Roby aka "PapaCheese"