My Grandpa Bailey

Today I found out that my Grandpa Bailey has passed away. This came as a huge shock because I didn't know that he had been ill. I have spent this whole day pondering on all of my memories with Grandma and Grandpa Bailey. It made me very sad to realize I don't have very many to chose from. Growing up in Pennsylvania I didn't get the chance to see grandma and grandpa more than once or twice a year if I was lucky. Some of my favorite memories are summer fun days tubing down the canal, eating tart green apples off of trees and picking raspberries and huckleberries. I will miss fireworks off of Grandpa's porch. Grandpa and older cousins would swing us on their homemade swings that used to be a horse lead. I remember being very young and driving with grandpa to all the canals he used to take care of. Grandpa was one of the hardest working men I've every known. I loved is little walk. I know he broke his ankles when he was young and it was probably very painful. To me, as a child, I found it endearing. Grandpa was so good at telling his stories. Grandpa was very proud of his orchard. When I grew up and moved to Idaho I was able to visit every once in a while. I remember grandpa got so mad about the Magpie birds. Grandpa was lost without grandma. They love each other so much. I could always find grandpa working away in either his big workshop or his office. Family history was a passion for grandpa. I will miss not being able to grow closer to you grandpa. I know you are with mom now and are probably swapping stories and laughing. I know you have lost that adorable limp of yours and you can walk freely now. I love you!