Rockne Elwood Bender

My popaw passed away on Sunday. He was a great man. He had an amazing life and I hope when I'm older I will have as many stories as he did to tell to everyone. From the goat that attacked him when he was little to the diamonds he found in Saudi Arabia and smuggled back to the US for my grandma(oh, man, those things are HUGE!) there were plenty of stories. Popaw was very happy around his grandkids, there are few photos of him without one of us in it. He taught me to fish when I was little, and let me drive his little red boat. He brought me back pretty things from Mexico every winter. He sang to me every morning when I stayed at their house, and read the "funny papers" to me. He took me to the lake, took me for rides on his scooter, bought me books, taught me how to make apple butter. I know he's in a better place now; he's with my grandma who he loved so much, and he's not hurting anymore. But I'll sure miss him. It hurts to see his empty chair at their house because it's full of memories. My aunt is planning on selling the house. That makes me sad, because there are so many memories there. But I think it's for the best. I love you popaw. I hope you and momaw are fishing and dancing and having a great time together.