i am excited. so very excited! it has been over four years since we’ve ventured to the great southwest…so we are long overdue for this trip. we are heading to tucson, arizona on thursday to visit my grandpa, explore the beauty of the desert and soak in it’s sunshine and heat, and enjoy the hospitality of my aunt, uncle and cousins!
it is time that my grandpa see what a wonderful little/big boy drew has become.
(drew was just six month old the last time he saw his great-grandpa.)
and…it is time for leo to meet his great-grandpa.
(the pictures he’s seen just aren’t enough)
before we go, i would like you all to meet my grandpa…john j bona…too.
he’s a story teller.
he’s a reader.
he’s a movie buff and critic.
he’s an avid White Sox fan.
he’s a collector; an organizer.
he’s a whistler.
he’s a bucket hat wearer.
he’s charming.
he’s a pretzel and salami lover.
he’s a stroke survivor.
he’s 89 years old today!
in april 2003, as he was preparing to migrate back to michigan from arizona for the summer, he suffered a stroke. a stroke that would have taken the life of most 81 year olds; but only took away his gift to gab, to travel, to communicate with us in all the ways we were used to – by paper and pen, telephone, and email.
jjb is full of stories and experiences…and has an opinion about everything…so, i am convinced that if it weren’t for the stroke, he’d be a blogger today. he’d have so much to say…so much to share. (and, there’s no doubt in my mind he’d have more than the 27 followers I have.) and, i know if he could, he’d be logging in each day to see what words and experiences i had to share. and, i would be so happy to know he was reading.
i am my grandpa’s little girl…his first grandchild…his first granddaughter after raising three sons.
he took me to the circus…
we walked down the corridor with the elephants & took our seats as the arena went dark with cotton candy in hand
he took me to the movies…
The Muppet Movie & ET were even more memorable since I went with my grandpa (& Jerry McGuire a little bit uncomfortable)
he took me to the children’s theater…
giving me a life long appreciation for the theater (that i now share with my boys)
he took the time to send me supportive letters and emails throughout college, oversees study and grad school…
words i’ve kept and that continue to provide comfort and encouragement
he took me to dinner…
some of my ‘favorite’ dinner dates of all time were with him, enjoying all you can eat prime rib during my grad school years at a small pub outside ann arbor - priceless
he danced with me on my wedding day…
a blessing i will always cherish
my grandpa is a special guy who has instilled a simple, yet important, message in every member of his family. a philosophy that’s ingrained in our minds…written on our walls…and inked on some of our bodies. we are to always to remember to be happy and to have fun…everything else will take care of itself.
“Be Happy. Have Fun.”
so…after the longest, coldest, snowiest winter ever (slight exaggeration, but not much of one) we plan have a wonderful time on our first vacation as a family of four. we plan on being very happy and having lots of fun during our time in tucson. watch out roadrunners, javelina, saguaros, prickly pear margaritas, and JJB…here come the krekelbergs!
and, oh! guess what!?! there’s another jjb on the way!! my brother and his wife are expecting their first child in september. they’ve decided to give their baby boy the initials JJB. i can’t wait to meet my little nephew this fall!! i know he’s going to have a wonderful life full of happiness and fun. congrats mike & lindsay!
until next time…be happy & go have some fun!!
