Made up memory: Uncle Teasy Pants

Giving Brielle a ride on a nature walk with the family

Ben had a particularly sweet soft spot for the grandkids.  Many times as he was getting closer and closer to passing he would ask specifically about the kids.  He wanted to know how they were doing, what they were up to, and loved hearing any story we could tell him about their antics.  He texted me one time telling me how much he was going to miss the grandkids, and miss watching them grow up, and just how amazing they were to him.

Ben loved visits from the grandkids just as much as they loved going to see him.

All 10 of them had him wrapped around their fingers.  And although the youngest babies didn't get to spend much time with him before he was too sick to do much, he loved them as well.

Poking Brielle and messing with her chair

Ben is - STILL - known and referred to as "Uncle Teasy Pants" around here.  He was constantly poking, bugging, tugging hair, and nudging the kids, he loved to get a reaction out of them.  Almost daily I hear Addison say, "I miss Uncle Teasy Pants.  I so sad he died."  It's heart breaking, but also so wonderful that he made such a big impression on all the kids.

At Sara's concert in the park, he kept tapping the bottom of Claire's chair, and would feign innocence when she would turn around.  Claire talks about this all the time.

Having a conversation with niece Cadence

 One day in particular, Ben was teasing my girls.  Somehow Claire - being a bit clumsy - tripped over Ben's foot and bonked her head on something.  She started crying, and you could instantly see Ben felt bad.  So - despite the pain he was in - Ben had Claire climb up on his lap to console her.

Addison didn't want to be left out and climbed up too.

It seems like a simple thing, having your nieces sit on your lap.  But for Ben, it was probably very painful as his tumors were growing and causing him a lot of pain.  He never let the kids see that he was in pain though.  

They will always remember him as their fun, silly, "Uncle Teasy Pants" who they love, adore, and miss greatly.  He is one of a kind.