When I look back at the time that has passed since my grandpa, Roger, has been gone, all of the good memories come rushing to my head. He was the type of person to always put others first and made you feel super special. His jokes made everyones' day and his smile lit up the whole room. I always remember him singing about my beautiful blue eyes and giving me the nickname "Tater Bug" which will forever be what my family calls me. He had many health problems, but that didn't stop him from doing what he loved to do. Stories about him are definitely ones that I will cherish the most.
Ever since I was about a year and a half old, my family which started out as my mom and dad, my sister, Ashley, my grandma and grandpa, my aunt Kathy, and my uncle Steve would go on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. HHI is one of the calmest places I have ever been. There are barely any people on the beach, super small waves, and where we stay is just super quiet and a relaxing place to be. We went there every summer because it was grandpa's favorite place to be. You could tell even with all of the health conditions he had that when he was there he couldn't have a care in the world and was happier than he had ever been. He enjoyed fishing, sitting by the pool, and making his famous spaghetti and chicken soup. Although as years went on he wasn't able to do these things as easily, we still found a way. What I loved most about being there was seeing all his worries wash away, even if it was only for a week.
The year of 2013 was a very rough one for my family. My grandpa was in and out of the hospital for multiple reasons and he was then put on kidney dialysis. We were certain there was no way he was going to make it to Hilton Head even if it was only February. After months of being in the hospital and being on dialysis, we got the okay to let him go on vacation. He was even able to do his dialysis from our beach house. We all knew that even though he was struggling, Hilton Head would make him feel a whole lot better. He had to watch everyone fish from the house, but he still enjoyed it just as much as usual. Leaving that year was the hardest thing to do knowing that it could be our last vacation with him.
When returning home, my grandpa continued to be in the hospital and a rehabilitation center. We all knew that it wouldn't be long, Then, December 17, 2013, my grandpa, Roger, passed away peacefully. To this day, June of 2013 is the last time we have all been to Hilton Head. We have gone on vacations like Marble Head and Disney World, but there is no way it could ever be the same without him.
This year, we all really thought about it and knew that my grandpa wouldn't want us to stop going to HHI and that he would want us to continue going and be happy as a family. So, this year, June of 2017, we will be going back to Hilton Head in memory of my grandpa. I know things won't be the same, but I will fish, sit by the pool, and spend time with everyone all while thinking of him because it is what he would want. I hope the story of my grandpa and his love of this family vacation will continue to be passed down for many years to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O3C6yf0FaI I have provided a song that will always make me think of my grandpa.
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