About a month ago,  Adam decided he wanted to learn to play “What a Wonderful World” as a Christmas gift for my mom. The song has special meaning for my family and was my dad’s favorite.

Adam’s ukulele teacher thought it was a great idea and converted the sheet music into an Adam-friendly version. He worked with Adam on it for the past several weeks.

Adam surprised my mom with the song yesterday afternoon. He did a fantastic job. I am so proud of him for thinking of such a thoughtful gift and working so hard on it.

Adam and my dad had an incredibly close relationship. They said that they were,  “Two peas in a pod, always and forever.”

This time of year is bittersweet. My dad loved Christmas and watching all of us, especially the grandchildren, open presents. He’d be the first one hunting down double A batteries and playing with the kids (and their new toys) on the floor.

We all miss him and feel his loss more acutely this time of year. I know he would love listening to Adam play his ukulele. Based on how my dad treated my brother’s drum set when we were growing up, I am sure he’d borrow it and play his own “songs” on it too. (I feel like now is a good time to point out how glad I am that Adam chose to learn the ukulele, and not the drums.)

I am also incredibly thankful that I had the dad I did. I know he is watching over us and is super proud of his other pea in a pod (and all the grandkids in his and Mabel’s crew) too.