My "hotdog" grandpa

I have been MIA lately, because I have been going through a hard time with the passing of my grandfather.  I wrote a post about him in December (Stage Four) when he was diagnosed with cancer.

My grandma didn't host a traditional funeral or memorial service for my grandpa - he had told her he didn't want one. For my great grandma and great grandpa's funerals, I wrote something for them and read it at the service. Here is what I wrote for my grandpa and would have read at his funeral...

My grandpa, Cal Richards, was a simple man.

He was the kindest and most selfless person I've ever known. I've never met anyone who didn't like him. There's nothing he wouldn't do for someone.

He was a hard working family man who lived to take care of the love of his life, Linda. "I promised her dad I'd take care of her, so she'd never have to work."

He taught me kindness, work ethic and what a husband should be.

Many people say little girls grow up wanting to marry someone like their father, for me, it has always been my grandpa. I've told my grandpa and grandma for years how much I admire their love for each other. I'd watch my grandpa pinch my grandma on the rear and grab her for a smooch in the kitchen.

Grandpa always came to my rescue - whether it the time I skinned my knee on their front porch, or when a cinder block fell on my toe and he rushed me to the hospital or all the times I had darn car trouble in college. He taught me a lot about cars.

He'd always introduce me to people as his granddaughter, Nik. Every time someone calls me that, I'm reminded of him and I smile. Hotdog is another name he'd call me and it always made me giggle as a little girl.

I think my grandpa's favorite memory with me was when I only 6 or 7 years old and I visited him and grandma up north at the cabin in Lake George. I helped him rake the leaves. I think it was his favorite story, because he'd often tell it - it never got old. Seeing his smile and watching his eyes glisten as he told it, made me so proud to have him as my grandpa.

Not every man could pull off a navy baseball cap and brown cowboy boots, but Cal Richards' heart was what really showed on the outside - it didn't matter what he wore.


Every woman should be so lucky to hear her husband still call her his sexy wife after 45+ years of marriage. His legacy serves as a reminder to us all to be kind, selfless, work hard, love and enjoy the simple things in life.


Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my grandpa.....

They were just teenagers when they fell in love.

My absolute favorite picture. So young and in love.

Me, my brothers and grandparents.

Me, dancing with my grandma & grandpa at my mom's wedding.

Their cabin up north.

47 years of marriage. 

May we all be so lucky to share as many years with the one we love.

I am trying to stay strong for both my grandpa and grandma. My grandpa wouldn't want us all to be sitting around crying. My grandma, because, for the first time in 47 years, she is alone. I wish I lived closer to see her regularly. 

These two are my heroes when it comes to love and marriage. They were a prime example of a strong, dedicated and loving couple.