As defined by Merriam-Webster, a Grandfather is the father of one’s father or mother. To many he was known as Ron but to us he was our Papa, and as a grandchild of Ron Page that definition does not come close to describe him. There is also no definition for Papa within the dictionary, so I have put together a few things that would define what is "Papa" for us.
1. Papa is someone who took time out for you and made you feel like you were the only grandchild he had at that moment, and took real interest into what was going on in your life.
2. Papa is someone who has attended the football, basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse games, swimming matches, and track meets. Regardless if you were playing or not, rain, snow, extreme heat, he will be there to support you and more then likely knew the names of most the players on your team.
3. Papa attends your piano, cello, violin, saxophone, trumpet, choir and dance recitals and knows not only the name of the song you are performing but also who originally performed, directed, and composed it.
4. Papa comes to your plays, regardless of how big your role and will be the first one there.
5. Papa is someone who will send you that little text message just to see how you are doing, followed with the letters LYL, love you lots.
6. Papa comes to all your achievements: blessings, baptisms, priesthood ordinations, to eagle scouts, and young women recognitions, to high school and college graduations.
7. Papa is someone who is always aware of you and on hard days will always be able to lift you up.
8. Papa is a person who will wave to every passing car in a way that appears that he has known them for years.
9. Papa is someone who knows how to buy the perfect fruits and vegetables and is always getting more just to give you a bag because he knows how much you love them.
10. Papa is someone who is always up for fun and games and always finds time to teach us a gospel lesson.
These are only a few of definitions that define Papa, but to us he will always be remembered for that simple smile, firm handshake, wink of his eye, or great hug, which told us how much he loved us.
Papa is one that wrote to his missionaries weekly. Right now we have two missionaries out serving across the world in Russia and Argentina. When they heard the news of Papa, one wrote how much he will miss receiving his weekly letters, and having served a mission myself those were some letters that I looked forward to also. The other said about Papa, “We all have been so blessed to know him and have enjoyed all the blessings that he shared with us every moment. Especially in all of the work that he did with Family History. Now he will be able to meet those people in person and get their side of the story. What a great thing to know that he is ok and at peace.”
Papa loves us more then I think we will fully understand. He always has given all his grandchildren a hand written card for their birthdays. Papa had his stroke as he was writing one in preparation for his great-grandson's birthday, my son Cooper. Here is the letter that he was writing; I have changed it slightly as to be written to all his grandchildren.
Grandchild,
I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I am so glad and happy when you come over to see us. You are a fine boy or girl. I am proud that you are my grandchild (a great one).
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