On Christmas Day, I lost one of the people you think, as a kid, will be with you forever.
When you are young, you don’t question it. They are just there, like they always have been. For me, one of those forever people was my Pop-Pop.
If you lived or grew up in or around Aston, there is a good chance you went to Just Ice Cream at least once. The walls were covered in photos, awards, neon signs, records, and posters from the 1950s and 60s. And if you walked through the door, heard the doo-wop music playing, and smelled fresh waffle cones, you probably met the man behind it all. Bob. Or, as I was lucky enough to call him, Pop-Pop.
Some of my favorite memories live in that shop. Countless summer days were spent there with my sister, my mom, my Sassy, and Pop-Pop. He was always moving and always working, but he always slowed down just long enough to sit with us and watch Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I’ll cherish those moments for the rest of my life.
As soon as I was old enough, I worked behind the counter at Just Ice Cream. Full days with just Pop-Pop and me. He taught me how to make ice cream, but it was never just about the ice cream. He taught me patience, care, and consistency that went into it.
But the most meaningful thing he ever taught me had nothing to do with recipes.
It was how we treat people.
Every person who walked through the door at Just Ice Cream was treated like family. Pop-Pop always said you never knew what kind of day someone was having. It might be the best day of their life. It could be the worst. Either way, they deserved kindness.
He used to say you could tell if an ice cream shop was good by its vanilla and chocolate. The basics. I think that applies to life too. The basics matter. Be kind. Be caring. Show up for people. Pop-Pop lived that every single day.
This year, we spent one last Christmas Eve together. All of us. The next day, Christmas Day, he passed away after more than ten years fighting prostate cancer. He was given five years in 2014, and I truly believe he doubled that time because he had good vanilla and chocolate, if you know what I mean.
I will love you forever, Pop-Pop. Thank you for everything ❤️🍦
I blinked and my best pal somehow turned 8. I will never understand where the time goes, but I will forever soak up every second.
Happy Birthday, Cameron. I am so proud of you.
12 years ago, I started my PA journey here at FirstEnergy Stadium. My time at America’s Classic Ballparked shaped a big part of who I am, not only as an announcer, but as a person.
Watching Cam take part in @fightins baseball camp here… it’s hard to explain what that feels like. Just incredibly special.
I found this photo that Kelly took back in 2021, when I truly introduced Cameron to Pet Sounds for the first time.
It was special having him next to me as we listened to it front to back. I talked about my favorite parts and what made it so special, and he just sat with me and enjoyed the music. I’m sure if you asked him now, Cam could name all the tracks on the album.
Thank you, Brian Wilson 💚💛
#TheBeachBoys #BrianWilson #PetSounds
I brought my Super 8 camera to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom — I’m pretty proud of the results!
(Sorry if you’re seeing this a second time. I accidentally uploaded the wrong version!)
Developed and scanned by: @negativelandfilm@disney@disneyparks@waltdisneyworld@kodak_shootfilm #waltdisneyworld #disney #magickingdom #disneyparks #super8 #super8film #kodak #kodakvision3 #argus #showmaster820
Some of my favorite shots of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and EPCOT through the lens of my 1980’s Praktica MTL50 on Kodak Gold 200 35mm film.
Processed and scanned by: @retrophoto_reading
#waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #disneyparks #disney #magickingdom #epcot #praktica #prakticamtl50 #kodak #kodakgold200 #35mm #shotonfilm
