Editor’s note: With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, this essay caught our eye because it reminds us of the boundless love children have for their caretakers. Bristol 9-year-old Shelby Stevers, daughter of Stacy and Matt Stevers, was asked by her third-grade teacher at Bristol Elementary School to write about somebody who meant a lot to her, and she chose to write about her great-grandfather, Pete Many of Middlebury.
By SHELBY STEVERS
My grandpa is a really great guy. He is always there for me and my family. He is the holiday cooker, making yummy food for our holiday get-togethers. Best of all, we spend a lot of time together.
My grandpa is always there for me and my family. He and my dad and uncles go hunting together. He helps us cut up the meat so we have food stored for the winter. He used to take us to Middlebury hockey games, which are a lot of fun. Now that he is getting older, though, he doesn’t go as much. Instead, he and I will watch them on TV at his house, which is fun too. He makes nachos and popcorn and we watch the whole game together.
Every holiday that I can remember, we spend time celebrating together as a family. Lots of people make food, but Grandpa does a lot of the cooking. he makes the big things, like the turkey or ham. He always seems so happy when he is doing this. I think he is happy because he has his family with him and we are all together. He makes the holidays extra special.
My grandpa is also special to me because we spend a lot of time together. When I was little, Grampa and Gramma used to take care of me when Mommy and Daddy were at work. Sometimes I get to sleep over at their house. When I go to his house he is always in the kitchen, and when he comes out he always says, “How’s my girl?” and I always say, “Good!” Then I run over to him and give him a big hug. He kisses my head and then we go off to do something fun together.
My grandpa is the most special guy to me. I like spending time with him and he means so much to me. I feel so lucky to have him in my life!