January 11, 1903

      I didn't know how to begin this post, because I didn't put any thought into until now. Six years ago, my grandpa Willard Brooks passed away, he died of old age, he lived to be 102 years old. He married my grandmother, Bernice May on September 15, 1932. They had six children, 34 grand children, 66 great-grand children, and 6 great-great-grand children; a total of 106. My grandparents were married for 72 years, I am the youngest of their grand children.
    A lot of memories come to mind when I think of him, but I thought I would just share a few of my favorites. He could never remember my sister Whitney's name, he for some reason always called her Montaine, to this day we have no idea why. He called my brother James, Jim, he called my sister Cassie, Cathy because his daughters name is Cathy. But he always could remember mine and my sister Abby's name, it may be perhaps because she's the oldest and I'm the youngest of the family? Who knows. The furnace in his house was always turned up way too high even during the summer, he enjoyed "watching" channel 32, watching meant sleeping for hours in a day. By the time I reached an age where I truly realized how much my grandparents meant to me, they were gone and trust me it's something I've regretted for a long time.
     There was always something in the living room to snack on, he loved to garden, he became deaf later in his life. He served in the second world war, he was a teacher and to this day teaching has been something I've wanted to pursue. He was a genius, even though he's not with us, he is in a way because my dad; his son Eric, is like him in so many ways whether he likes it or not. The way he sleeps, how when he hears something and can't figure it out, he'll do anything in his power to find out the correct definition. If I say something grammatically incorrect, he'll correct me.
   My grandpa was such an amazing role model in my life! He was an amazing athlete, I do wish that he could have been around to see me participate in my own athletics, before games I like to think that he's watching me, and hopefully he's proud. His game was baseball and track, he was said to be the best, he also loved music and learning.

Unfortunately I didn't have pictures of him, but I do have ones of us at their house.

Halloween, the ugly one is Cassie.

Abbs and Cass helping grandma make their bed:)

All five kids on the grandparents couch:) One of my favorites!

I miss him very much and every time, either him or my grandma are brought up it brings tears to my eyes, he truly was an amazing grandparent and I along with my whole family miss him dearly, especially on this day. Love you grandpa:).