My Gramps

This was the speech I made at my gramps' funeral. I meant to post it sooner, but then I didn't.

My name is Holly, and I am the second daughter of Hayley, the second daughter. I have a lot of memories with Grampa. But a time that is special to me was when I lived with Gramma & Grampa when I was little. Mom was working at the factory back then, so I had to go to Happyland, which was not as fun as it sounds. Grampa used to take me in his big ol' Caddy. On good days, he'd take me with him to Chinatown instead and I'd hang out while he played mah jong. Car rides were pretty awesome. As child safety wasn't in yet, I got to ride in the front seat with him. He'd reach over and squeeze my leg. He liked to do it harder and harder until you complained of the pain and then he would laugh. I used to try and hold out as long as I could but eventually he always won. Days with him were way better than days with all those kids at Happyland. Grampa would make me sandwiches that he cut into 4 strips because it was easier to eat that way. He also slipped me money when no one was looking. And even though my mom ended up with it all back then, he continued to do this every time I saw him in the years that followed. One time more recently I went to see him in the home with Uncle Willie and he kept asking Uncle Willie to give him money. Uncle Willie finally gave in and gave him $10, and Grampa proceeded to gift it to me. When my mom was working, sometimes while I was still sleeping, Uncle Willie or Uncle Wilson would come into my room and grab me then dump me in Grampa's bed. I would scramble to climb out- I was terrified that one day he'd roll over and that would be it. All the early stuff I can remember is from my time in LA living in that house. I loved Grampa's bobble head dog in his car. I loved being allowed to go anywhere with him. I loved sneaking into him and Gramma's room and looking at the pictures on his desk. I loved the way he stood with his hands folded over his belly all the time. I visited him as often as I could but I think the best times we had together were back then, when he was my babysitter, my chef, my chauffeur, and my best friend.