Grandad in a Sock Monkey

Written by Shannon Leigh

I've been thinking of Grandad a lot lately. He left us almost a year ago now. The sounds and smells of early August have made me sentimental.

I miss him.

A lot.

Every time I think of his toothy smile I get a little teary eyed.

When I think about how little Ruby never got to meet him, my heart breaks just a little.

But then I've decided she already has met him - up in heaven.

He's already held her and kissed her and whispered to her, "I'll be waiting right here." With that big toothy smile.

When I lay Ruby on her changing table in her room she wiggles and contorts her body so she can stare at the corner of her room. She turns her neck and arches her back and then her eyes fixate on something... she then talks and giggles uncontrollably with her big toothless grin.

I couldn't figure out what was so funny. But THEN it occurred to me... I have a variety of items on a shelf in that particular corner. One of the items is a sock monkey that my mom had made for Ruby last Christmas. It's not just any old sock monkey it's a special one. She's bedecked with a tutu made out of tulle from my wedding and various pieces of bling. She is quite the sight. But the best part is... she is made out of Grandad's socks.

9 times out of 10 when I lay her on her changing table she laughs and talks to that silly sock monkey. I've let her play with it a few times and she loves her. She squeezes her tight and nibbles on her ears and tail.

I can't help but think when she turns her head and laughs at her sock monkey she is really looking at Grandad, smiling her big toothless smile in exchange for his toothy one.

We miss you Grandad.