Every Time I See It, It Gets A Little Bigger

I lost my Papa Dodd in September of 1999. Almost 11 years ago. How quickly those 11 years have went. Good and bad things have happened, memories were formed, and time has moved on. My papa, Lowell Dodd, was a professor at Doane College in Crete Nebraska. When we were back for Easter, we stopped by Doane to visit my Papa's tree that the college planted in his honor. Every time I see it, it seems so much bigger then the last. It has just started blooming, there is a slight hint of red when you look at it. It's such a pretty tree (as pretty as trees can actually be). The media department and a class room at Doane are also named after my Papa.

It's nice to be able to go see his tree in remembrance of him. I love walking under it and when it is full of leaves, I love taking one and saving it. Having that leaf with me, makes me feel like I have a little piece of him with me. This trip was a little different, this time my daughter was there. I felt as if, I was introducing Claire to my Papa. Although, I know he got to met her way before I did.  I made a promise to myself that Claire will know how great her great grandparents really were and are. Family is so important to me, no matter living or gone. I am who I am because of them!

Here are some pictures:

The plaque underneath his tree

My Papa's tree

Claire under her Great Papa's tree

Me in 2007

The Classroom named after him