it's a world of laughter, it's a world of tears

On January 2, I lost one of the most special people I know, my Grandpa Butcher. The post title is the first line of the song, "It's a Small World," one of grandpa's favorite songs to sing and rides to ride at Walt Disney World. 
My world HAS been blessed with SOO much LAUGHTER with him in my life, and since his passing it's been a world of TEARS, happy tears, and grieving tears.
Grandma battled Alzheimers for about 5 years and would never wanted to live that way, but it's still a tough thing to deal with because he was SUCH an amazing person. At the visitation, it was amazing how many people said the exact same thing!
My grandma, dad, and aunts put together a beautiful service. Ronda read a poem grandma had written about grandpa, dad did the readings, and Renea gave an amazing eulogy! Nothing but the best for the BEST!


Being with family was the best therapy! The great grandkids really know how to lighten a mood!
Took quit a few to get a good one, well, maybe we didn't get a perfect one, but we had fun trying.

 The Max, Ethan, Jack, and Anna shoot! Did you notice all the boys have the SAME sweater, totally NOT planned.

Ethan's goofy new "smile" Max being a good boy.

 Anna warming up to the camera. Jack with perfect posture, Ethan all smiles and Max moving. Close.

 Anna keeping her eyes on Ethan making sure he doesn't hurt Jack. Pretty sure Ethan pushed Anna down a few times and she doesn't trust him.

 Anna ALL smiles, Jack watching his feet, Ethan with his goofy smile and Max laughing. Not even close- but cute!

 Everyone with smiles, but Jack. We will call it good!

 The grandkids.

 Those great grandkids making us laugh again!

 This weekend I was organizing some closets and stumbled across my high school scrapbooks. Took a trip down memory lane and found some of these great photos with grandpa!

 At Disney, we had several trips with him there riding ALL the rides the kids did!

 Thanks Grandpa!

 A grandkid picture. He was so proud of us!

 50th Wedding Anniversary- so special, so amazing!

 Grandpa and Grandma even took me and some friends to Disney one spring break after spending some time with them in Ft. Meyers- seriously who else can say their grandpa did that for them!

 On the beach! He LOVED Ft. Meyers Beach!

 They came to EVERY event at that high school gym, track, softball field. How could they miss prom!

 This one cracked me up, this week we all shared stories of how grandpa did some "'unsafe' things, but in a careful manner" he was so careful even opening his gifts. He always acted like the gifts were the best thing ever, and maybe even added a "well all-be-darn, it's that special"
 These are from when Ethan met great grandpa for the first time at the nursing home.

Grandpa was the most hard working, honest man with integrity, but also knew how to have fun and enjoy life! I am so proud to have his blood running through me (as aunt Renea said we do) AND to have it run through Ethan as well! 

it's a world of laughter, a world or tears
its a world of hopes, its a world of fear
theres so much that we share
that its time we're aware
its a small world after all

You are and will be greatly missed Grandpa!! Love you!