There is something about February, Arnold P. Wallen, my Grandfather was born. This man who would become such a loving Patriarch of his family. From his friendly grin, to his soft fuzzy head. As a little girl bouncing on his knee and hearing him croon those great tunes with dogs howling along. Amazing and wonderful, there is something about February that brought us this man who would impact so many lives and fill us all with love and laughter for so many years.

There is something about February when my mother lost her battle with cancer. Everyday of my life would be changed now as each child I had would miss the opportunity to know the loving woman who gave of herself everyday with grace and courage, no doubt passed down from her parents. Her last days with her Father, Mother and family by her side. As a child watching her slowly disappear. This day would forever be engraved in my memory. One of the things I remember the most about this February day was my Grandfather Wallen's face, the pain etched permanently across it, he paced back and forth, doing his best to absorb the massive grief he felt. I lost her February 21st, 1982 also Grandpa Wallen's birthday.

There is something about February when my Grandfather John Howe, to those who knew and loved him known as Big John passed away. He had been there many times for me, from fishing together at their farm to telling me about his days in the law. He encouraged me to write, to sing and to be a better person. As a child my summers between Grandpa Howe and Grandpa Wallen, what a lucky girl to know them both. I lost him February 4th, 2007.

Over the years many would ask me why I lingered in such long agonizing pain through this second month of each year- why I could not get past it. How hard it is to explain to someone that there is something about February. The birth of each child, every celebration, each report card, every mother's day, every Grandparent's day, every birthday, every holiday, it is harder to take each time someone has passed- you can never call, never write, never see them in this life again, they will never hold your child or watch them grow or share their joys and sorrows. You can never again ask for their wisdom or advice. These are the things that you miss. When you need them, you can only talk and wait for the comfort of their loving whispers on the wind or their face in your dreams, gaze upon them with love and longing.

So, here we are again, there is something about February.. Our precious Grandpa Wallen has taken his final journey home. While we celebrate his wonderful life and it really was a wonderful one! Not many people these days can look out and see as many faces of those who love and adore you, but Arnold Wallen, can. Not many men can look back over 73 plus years and say they held the hand to the end of his life on earth, of the most beautiful woman in the world. His love and his wife, Maxine, to most of us "Grandma Wallen". There was never Grandpa without Grandma. Every get-together, every celebration, every card, every Christmas. Grandma Wallen, you were his everything and he let everyone know it. From a small glance at you to a huge hug and kiss, Arnold Wallen loves you!

Grandma, if you can find any comfort today please know that the bar you two set is so high we will never reach it but surely some can try: your love showed others how to live a life full of family, loyalty, love, wisdom and faith. We all love you so much and we will be here for you as he would want us to.

There are not many men who have trained animals to sing, drive tractors and other amazing feats and antics or being an extra in a movie meeting and still amazing people with his talents or raising horses and all kinds of animals, but Arnold Wallen did. Not many men can say they played multiple sports, coached and followed teams, being remembered by one of his favorites in his last days, but Arnold Wallen can. Not many men can say they have such devoted children who would be there with him each hour at the end, but Arnold Wallen can. Not many men can say they have family- grandchildren, great-grandchildren great-great grandchildren, cousins and friends who in the last month would reconnect via a means he never would be familiar with, but Arnold Wallen can. His family is a legacy, brought together by their love, adoration and through their own grief to support each other. All will hopefully stay together forever now as Grandpa Wallen sits back and smiles at us from Heaven, his daughter at his side, surely many friends and others that took their journey ahead of him around him, soft grass and beautiful sunlight lighting up his face. Yes, there is something about February.. Grandpa, I love you forever. Love, Melinda