By Jenny Chissus

GRANDPAS- THE TRUTH ABOUT -

Grandpas are guysJust like the restBut they’ve lived long enoughThat they often know best

Your Papa Pete is like thatHe’s been around the block

He’s traveled, he’s workedHe’s loved... well, a lot!

So there’s lessons to learnThere’s stories to tellOf your Papa Pete and his lifeThat we all know so well.

It is hard to say thisBut we know that it’s true

As much as he wants toHe won’t be there for you.

Your Papa Pete is sickHis body is tiredBut his heart is so fullLove for you is alive

My hope as his sisterIs that he’ll meet you real soonThat he’ll look in your eyesPass his love on to you.

But I wanted to shareWho he is, with you

The special things you won’t seeSo I’ll tell them to you!

A man of integrityHe rarely failed

Even when it was hardHonesty prevailed

Papa Pete is a leaderHis guidance so trueFull of patience and beliefIn all that you do

His direction is honestHe’s say with a smile

“I don’t expect perfectionBut excellence is fine!”

Papa Pete, as a bossThey all know he is fairAlways expecting their bestThey knew that he cared

Customer firstThat was the name of the game

In all of his jobsIt was always the same

Papa Pete is a manWho is so full of life

Sparkly eyes, big smilesHe is a gathering’s true “light”

Papa Pete was a servantIn so many ways

That’s why this diseaseHas been hard every day

He’s quite the explorerWith an adventurous spiritWho climbed Mt. RainierSwam oceans, fished rivers

As his sisterI’ve always been envious a bitOf his massive sourrounding

Of friends who commit

Commit to supportOf their families and livesCommit to have funPlay golf, cards or dice

Papa Pete and Mama DHave always been thereWith food, fun and laughterTheir full support in the air

Papa Pete leads the fieldIn work, sports and lifeFolks always follow and knowHe’s as sharp as a knife

There are many little waysI think you should know

About how he did certain thingsBefore ALS took its toll

When playing cards or golfOr shooting a ballHe’d lick both his fingersI’m not sure why at all!

He learned this from me, I’m so sure that it’s true

He would flare wide his nostrilsWhen he’s fooling you!

Papa Pete always hasQuite the great sense of styleWearing Cole Hans and FaconableWay before their time!

Papa Pete focuses totallyOn family and friends

We all know how much he loves us...To the earth’s end

He’s such a great dadRy and Chels hold his heartHe prayerfully led themCherished them from the start

Your Papa PeteIs still quite the hamWho loves a great laughHe’s the heart of our fam

His laugh was contagiousIt made everyone happy

I miss that so much(Sorry, my attitude got crappy)

Papa Pete is an optimistThe glass, always half fullIn spite of great challengesHe sees good in all

Papa Pete is so charmingWith his wit and his timingHe says the cleverest thingsThat even end up rhyming!

Papa Pete will be a grandpaAnd Grandpas are wise

But he had that true wisdomLong before you arrived!

Papa Pete for meHas been like a rockI knew he’d be thereFor me with a talk

He’s always been generousFaithful and kind

Giving me perspectiveWhen I’m feeling quite blind

I wish you could know himThe way that we doLove him and be lovedBy your grandpa so true

But let me assure youLong before you arrived

That Papa Pete’s love for his familyContinues to thrive

As he lives and he lovesOf him we are all a part

He passes on those treasuresHis stories, his heart

So my dear baby DevinWelcome to our great familyWhere you are treasuredLoved and cherished by many!