Happy Birthday, Poppop!

These are the most important people in our lives and the best parents/grandparents anyone could ask for.

They are the reason we still live where we live. Since I have the choice, there is no way I could allow my kids to grow up someplace where they couldn't see their Grammy and Poppop regularly. Besides vacations, they have not gone a week without seeing them and they have loved them "best of all" since they were newborn babies.

Not only do they do the normal grandparenty things like dinners at their home, letting us swim in their pool all summer, and presents on holidays...they go above and beyond.

Grammy and Poppop are always willing to travel with Haley and I whether it is across the river to Philly for an Irish session, to Minnesota for a week long orchestra, or to Ireland for a Fleadh. We call them our bodyguards. They also have attended nearly every concert she has ever performed in...sitting through some of them has been a feat in itself!

They travel with us to all the Towheads performances as well, often transporting us in their van because it is the only vehicle that will hold all of us along with sound equipment and instruments.

This past year, Poppop has been a Godsend. As my schedule with Haley's music has gotten crazier and crazier, he has stepped in to help Newt with his wrestling. He is home every afternoon to help the boys when they come over after school to workout, has done research to find the best workout program for Newt, buys or builds the equipment he needs, attends his practices (often taking Newt by himself if I have to work late), and takes him to tournaments on weekends now when my weekends are consumed by orchestra rehearsals and trips for fiddle lessons in New York.

I don't know if Newt appreciates the effort as much as he should now (being a teenager and all) but I do know that some day, maybe when he is grown, he'll look back on this time he was able to spend with his Poppop and will treasure it. I also know he is helping to shape the man Newt will be someday.

Happy Birthday, Poppop! Thank you for everything you do for us! I love you more than you will ever know!