You would be 70 today... I know the first thing you would say is that isn't old...or either there is no way that I'm 70, but in order for us to grow ... we have to age... and today... you would be proud.
I always said Ben was special to you... he was the only grandson... his first words were "PaPa" and "gofcot".... and you would ride, and ride, and ride him... until the ice cream truck came... and then you would get two "hunkies" and share them with him.... He still loves to ride, and ride, and ride..... and his favorite dessert is ice cream. This past year has been great for him... that spunky personality and devilish attitude have made him stand tall in his not so big body at ten years old. He played football, is playing basketball, and is signing up for baseball.... I can't help but think that you are there with us during those games... just last night I watched as Daddy and JMac sat on the bench taking up for him at the basketball game... and I know that you were sitting right there with them... we giggle, we laugh, and I know you are there... He is truly a McKinney... Mark reminded me of that this week... when I was discussing his ability to play basketball and enjoy it, I talked about how he was a Mattison... Mark quickly pointed out that you, Betty Carol, and he all played... and Daddy was the only one who played on our side. I can only imagine that you would smile and be so proud of his athletic abilities.
I also know that he gets a lot of his "smarts" from you... Daddy told me you were the smartest man he knew... Ben looks at something and "gets it"... whether it be how to crank a weedeater... the four wheeler... or where to stand when shooting the basketball... he got his common sense from you. Thank you for that! Common sense is hard to come by! I am proud of the young man he is becoming... and I know you had a hand in how he is being raised... and it continues to this day because of Mark.
Katie Britt was special to you too... We still discuss how you gave up two full days to take her to school her first two days.... Without a doubt... she gets her smarts from your side of the family too... maybe BC a little bit, but I think the math has to come from you and Mark! She has surpassed my abilities at this point... and I just hope that you guide her hands some days when she is writing out those long equations.
She is loving sports and able to handle the stress of homework, middle school peer pressure, and athletics... you had an easy-going attitude... I think she has that too.
Many times this year, I have thought about the fact that you and Don would probably be watching your two grandchildren... best friends... and "boyfriend and girlfriend" turn into young adults... I'm sure no one would ever be good enough for KB for you, but I have to believe that you would smile in the fact that she chose someone with a good family... You may want to help Mark out in all this as his little girl is growing up and he isn't so sure about all the paths ahead of her.
And Mark... wow... you would smile and be even prouder of the man he has become.... he puts on such a good face... I watch him bite his tongue often... and while he has that little spunky attitude like Betty Carol, he has enough of you in him that he sits back and watches how things play out before spouting off at the mouth. He is a great daddy, a great husband, and a great role model to our children.... he wants to be perfect and truly strives each day to focus on them and be the best he can for them.... He got that from you... he watched you work endless hours, he watched you give the best education opportunity for him... and he watched you love your children more than life itself.
Today... you would be 70... you would be proud... and you would smile at these babies....
I miss your laugh... I miss fighting with you over the crossword puzzle... I miss cooking for you... I miss watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with you... I miss my lampshade being crooked... I miss the door being left wide open (nevermind... Ben does that in your place)... I miss you... I know life for us all has to end one day... so for today's birthday... I share happy tears... as I know you would be one proud daddy and granddaddy..... You did a great job with that son of yours... and you would be proud of the man he has become!
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