As sad as it sounds, today I had the longest talk with my grandfather than I have ever had in my entire life. And well... it was only really about 5 minutes. My Grandpa Lutz I see every weekend and I talk to him forever... it goes on and on. But my grandpa Pringer, I never get to see him. He is much older than Gpa Lutz and definitely acts it. But Gpa Pringer is kind of deaf in one ear and has been having problems lately. For example he just had a heart attack a little bit ago, a week maybe. He is alright and everything, but I worry about him. When I went out to the car- a towel on my head- I could just see that he was really getting old, really old. That heart attack had done more then him then I had imagined, and well he didn't look like the younger grandpa I knew best. he always calls me "Pretty Girl" because ever since I was born he always thought that I was the prettiest little girl he had ever seen, and loved to hold me and buy me little presents. Once I got older I didnt see much of my grandpa and didnt care much either. But he was still always there calling  me "pretty girl" and wanting to give me the first hug to anyone in the family. He always seems to be coming up with a new way to make me happy without me knowing. He'll always ask Grandma to ask my mom if there was anything I was interested in or really liked. Mom always tells grandma my favorite food at that time (which changes so often, I just have these huge cravings for. Right now it is cauliflauer.. crap we dont have any) and Grandpa will make sure that grandma gets that item when she goes grocery shopping and give it to me. He always sits out in the car and rarely comes inside, but I know that the gift is from him, and I am always grateful that he thinks about me so much. He never is like this to anyone else in my family. Just me. And I feel so special. I didnt really see how much he really loves me until today. I know that he loves me, and always has, but I didnt realize just how much. Maybe I should explain something first....my cousin Jennifer, was lately kicked out of her house for my aunt theresa finding pot in her car. Jennifer already has a baby and dropped out of loooong ago. She barely has a job, and she isnt married. In fact she is only a year or two older than my older sister Mallory. It is pretty disgraceful to our family that she made terrible decisions and is slowly making herself a nobody, just ruining her life. My Grandpa was probably the one who was hit hardest by this, her being his first grandaughter and all. He was really upset. Today when I went out to the car, I just saw how much he had changed since I last saw him I just wanted to stay and finally talk to him. He took my hand and said "pretty girl, my pretty shelby". He asked me how school was doing, and I told him that I was doing very very well. (which in fact I AM... so NO, i did not lie) and that I have at least 92's and above in every subject. He seemed very happy about that. He asked a little bit about what I was thinking of doing when I got older, and was planning on going to college. I had never told him that I was planning on college (which I AM btw) and he just flat out said "You need a good education because you are going to college" he was so sure that that was the best thing for me to do. It almost sounded like that was what he wanted me to do. But I realized, I am the next one in the Pringer family. My other cousin Thomas is just weird and doesnt do that great in school, and Mallory as you all know already dropped out. She is a lost hope, and grandpa is not very happy with her either. I guess he really wants to see his favorite grandaughter succeed and do something good with her future. Get a good job, and a great education. Education is always put first to my grandpa, and I dont blame him. As much as I dont like it, it is something that should always be taken seriously. He really thought that I could do it, that I could achieve my dreams and do whatever I wanted with my life. Heck, he even said the most precious thing to me in my entire life. Something I would almost kill to hear, just once. He looked at me and he told me "I know you can do it, Shelby. I know it because I believe in you"

...that just there, was the absolute most greatest thing i could have ever heard. When I had first gone out to the car to him, hair all a mess, tangled and wet, I really felt like crap after coming to the realization that Dave and I were through... we will never happen. But when I left, I was the happiest person in the world. No one, and I repeat no one could have felt what I felt at that moment. No one will ever make me feel that emotion that I was stuck with earlier today by my grandfather, because he is the only one that will mean it in such a way that meant so much to me, that I couldnt feel anything but the need to cry in appreciation. I want my grandfather to be there for me for a long long time, and I want him to be there at my graduation when I gradute from high school, and finally from college. I want him to see that I can do it, that I can make him happy, and finally seeing someone do something great with their life, and putting so much work into achieving that goal. I want him to see that the belief he invested in me, actually touched me at heart and I will never forget what he told me today. Never.

okay im sorry for that long...story, I guess I will tell you about today. It wasnt that great. I have come to that conclusion that Dave and I are off altogether. But it did get better, and my grandpa even brought me tomato plants to plant in the garden next to my growing cauliflower that I have been tending to for many weeks now. I couldnt have asked for a better gift.