Life changes at a moments notice

Dear Grandpa,

I wish I could have called to say goodbye, but you couldn't hear me...I wish you could have read my letters and cards and looked at the pictures I sent, but you couldn't see real well.....and I wish I would have been there to hold your hand as you drifted off to heaven......

So, I want you to know...

There really WAS a red fox on the bike trail that caused that little teeny issue with us on our bike trail adventure even though you and L.P. will forever think I made that up...really there was a RED fox!! ;)

It's best to roll UP the window when you and Grandma take you two grandchildren on a road trip to Banff Canada and pass by the street sprayers.

Ummm I think going to the grocery store goes better when you don't take BOTH your grand kids at the same time. ;) I was never the issue...it was always L.P. causing the problems-ha ha!

Scott is almost home and he will be safe soon. ♥

Stopping at Dairy Queen just makes for a better day!

Even though I always ask for a drink of your gin and tonic I will always spit it out and say YUCK!

Playing cribbage on the deck with you and making homemade ice cream was the perfect afternoon. ♥

You always had the best tomato plants in your back yard and Mom really loved that you would ship her tomatoes boxes of tomatoes every year.

Uncle Steve will miss you at the Issac Walton League and Aunt JoAnne will miss you coming over for dinner.

L.P. will miss having someone to make stilts and go carts with.

Dad will miss grilling on the patio and drinking a beer with you.

How about the REAL home made ice cream....that is something I wish our kids could have experienced...it just doesn't get any better than using the ice cream maker from the olden days. :)

Well, I could go on forever.....I will always be your "Dolly" and I will cherish the times you turned on the record player and we danced around the dining room and I stood on your feet to "our song."

Grandpa, thank you for your love, patience, and the way you filled our lives with joy.

You will be missed.

"Ring ring...Hello...Mrs. Fitzner I have your son Riley"

Meet Mr. Al~

So, those are words you DO NOT expect to hear on your cell phone from a total stranger named "Al",but today I got the call that "Al" had Riley at his house. My first thought was "who is this man" and oh my gosh what should I do and holy heck WHY do you have my son?

Well, then the story unfolds...."My name is Al and you have the most incredible son in the world. I am just amazed at how hard he is working"..I am thinking "working"???? So he continues..."you see your son rode his bike over to the construction site and has been helping the "guys" dig on the side of the road." About that time my heart sank and I thought where on earth did that boy run off too while Megan and I were inside working on a project. At this point I had heard enough-it was time to take action QUICK and go get our little CURIOUS GEORGE....

This man Al was the nicest older gentleman I have ever spoke too. He gave me a hug as soon as I got to his house and he was waiting outside for me watching Riley with his wife. They said that he was so entertaining they wanted to watch him and thought they should call Mom to see if she knew where he was. Yes, he did say he was going down the street, but this was a few more than a street or two.

I didn't know if I should be upset with him or proud of him because as I got there the guys gave him money. They said he was such a hard worker he needed to be paid. He was THRILLED because now he has golfing money to go on the driving range tomorrow and will not have to do chores to earn money.

It's funny how things work out sometimes. Here we are in the last few weeks before moving and Riley has met a wonderful couple that wants to get to know him. I told them we were moving and they were very sad. They said that "Riley is a one of a kind"...now that I knew! :)

So, I thought you all would like to see some pictures from his adventure today....a character he is....and that is probably an understatement. I am just grateful that he was okay....

Not only did he "dig" with the guys, but he rode the equipment and they gave him a Gatorade....he was ONE COOL KID today! Can't wait to see what is on the "Riley Files" for tomorrow's agenda! I better get to bed so I am rested for the next "adventure!"

Love~A :)

Working hard for the money~$$

Okay Mommy this is REALLY SUPER COOL....the pool will have to wait this is too fun!

Nice outfit-love the "winter boots" for foot protection and notice the helmet-good job Buddy!