Today is my dad's birthday--he passed away when I was 17. We called him Pop and I never knew it was strange or different to call my dad Pop probably until high school when I called him on the phone and later someone said "Who's Pop?"
But just look at him--no way he's a dad--definitely a Poppa.
So I wanted to post in memory of him today because I need to acknowledge the fact that I completely and entirely have no question in my mind regarding eternal families and existence of angels, particularly in my Pop...as an angel.
Several times over the last 10 1/2 years he has made known his presence to me in subtle and Pop-like ways.
One I will share with you as it is reflected in the pictures below.
Last May we took our kids to Disneyland--it was an incredible trip and we had, as they say, a "magical" time.
I have fond memories of going to Disneyland with my parents as a kid and remember Pop taking us on the Circus Train ride as pictured below.
Well, fast forward, I'm Mom now: as we were finishing up our 2nd day at Disneyland we are exiting the park, full of blissful exhaustion, and over the PA a song comes on--it's the Forest Gump instrumental theme. Random, but this song had particular meaning to me and Pop when he was alive. He was letting me know he was there, he was watching his grandkids and laughing and loving seeing them so happy.
For anyone who doubts, I can share numerous accounts of something of more substance than coincidence.
Happy Birthday Poppa!
Pop with me (in arms) and my sisters, Krista and Jen.
