Pa & Maddy

This photo speaks volumes about the relationship that Pa and Maddy have with each other. It started long ago when Mark watched Maddy as a baby every Monday while Amber worked. These two are "thick as thieves" as they say. For the record, Pa is the favorite of each of the grand kids, but he and Maddy have something special. It may have something to do with the fact that Pa rarely, if ever, says no to her. He can easily justify another cookie, right before dinner. What's the big deal is his attitude and, besides, he probably wants a cookie also! When I pick Maddy up from school, she greets me happily enough, but before we get up the sidewalk she invariably asks, "Pa couldn't pick me up today?" It has a lot to do with the fact that when he picks her up, there is usually a detour to "rocky road" before dropping her at home. Now that she is older, she loves the secret conspiracy between the two of them but struggles to keep the secret when she'd rather gloat about going for ice cream. May these simple moments be etched in her childhood memories long after Pa is gone.