For all you did for me growing up, I sure hope I was able to give back to you in some sort of way. I pray that through the end you always felt my love and new how much you really meant to me. I always told everyone I knew that you were my second dad and how you could not be replaced. The stories I would tell them showed everyone what a great, caring, compassionate, strong person you were...I am most certain that they could see and hear how much you meant to me just through my own stories.
I loved that you came to see my first born child be born...and that you share the same birthday, how special can that be for anyone...sharing a birthday with someone as special as you are.
Thank you grandpa, for always being true to me, you were there every step of my road no matter what you had going on in your own life. You always had time to come to swim meets, concerts, band recitles; as an adult you were there to help Blaine and I move each and every time no matter how cold, or how many steps there were to climb. When we moved to Fargo, you were there to help us pack up and met us back in Grand Forks to clean out the old apartment. I hope you knew how much that meant to both Blaine and I.
Our last Christmas together, all be it difficult, will be the most memorable to me. I saw the light in your eyes appear back when we came to visit, you handed me my last Christmas present from you and said my name and that you loved me...with the money that you gave us I purchaed a ring that hold the stones representing the month that you and grandma married. It is my way of keeping the two of you close to me. I wish I would have been able to have shown it to you.
I will always cherrish the last picure that was taken of all of us that Christmas...it was a present in itself to see you smile...but your wave wasn't understood until just a few short weeks later. Then it was heart wrenching to see.
After your passing I planted a tree in your honor, it stood so proudly in my front yard speaking many words to me that you will forever be with me. I cannot wait to see the tiny buds coming back to it this spring showing signs that life has been rejuvinated. I will place the little plack that I made for you on it again and hang the little bird wind-chime that you made for grandma back on it also so that you two can also be together once again.
I love you grandpa, and someday I will be able to tell you to your face again. Until then, please continue to visit me in my dreams telling me you love me, please keep sending birds to talk to mom, letting her know you are ok and please bring happy thoughts to grandma as she misses you more than words can say.
As a tribute to you, here are a few more of my favorite pictures from the past.
In loving memory of
Claude Edward Robertson
8/26/26 - 4/25/2010