December 2, 2010
Happy Birthday Papa!
I miss you so much! There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you for different reasons. Christmas will be here soon and you always enjoyed this time with your family. Just the other day we were talking about when we were kids. You and Nanny would come see what Santa brought us and then we would all go to the Waffle House for breakfast. I love that!! The kids now want to go to the Waffle House for breakfast. It might just be our new tradition.
You always loved Christmas. Our large family crammed into your little house, the fireplace roaring, kids laughing, a huge lunch and finally gift time! Us grands couldn't wait to open our gifts. So many memories were made there and I will cherish them forever.
You were like a gentle giant but when you spoke we listened. Never heard you say a harsh word towards anyone. Oh but discipline was given when needed. (I know this, hard lesson learned.)
You loved your grand kids and great grands. I'm so grateful that I lived within walking distance of you and Nanny. Memories of sleepovers on the pull out couch watching Dallas, eating chocolate ice cream and drinking Pepsi then early wake ups when we would jump in the bed with you and nanny. I know you said I would kick the covers off every time :)
The summers we would work in the garden cleaning corn, pulling peanuts, green beans and tomatoes. You took such pride in your garden and oh the meals that were cooked. Always accompanied by homemade biscuits or cornbread! You loved your bread.
I hope you knew how much I loved you Papa and how much I miss you! Thank you for the many precious memories that I have. I think of them often and share them with the boys so that they will have a piece of you too. They know you in pictures and love to look at them. Oh how I wish they could have known you. Nealon was just a baby when you died. They love to visit with Nanny and she loves on them as much as they will let her.
Happy Birthday Papa!! I'll have a Pepsi and a bowl of chocolate ice cream just for you. You are missed greatly and I can't wait to see you again. Nanny sends her love.
I LOVE YOU!
Your little girl,
Lynn
Oh, Lynn, your post really spoke to my heart and made me cry like a baby. Your Papa truly sounds like a wonderful man. I think about men like your Papa, and wish that there were more men like him in this world today.
ReplyDeleteHe really sounds a lot like my Papaw...a gentle, loving man. Only instead of Pepsi and chocolate ice cream, my Papaw's love was Coke and Snickers. My Papaw died almost 3 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him, but I have missed him horribly this week. I may have to break down and have a Snickers for him. :)
I'm sure your Papa is enjoying his birthday with the King of Kings, all the while enjoying bottomless ice cream and Pepsi and watching you and your boys.
Thank you for your post, Lynn! <3
Lynn, thank you for sharing about your grandfather. You are so lucky to have wonderful memories. I had a great grandfather too, but unfortunately haven't retained as many memories as I would like. Wishing him a beautiful birthday in Heaven!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
OMG!! I am crying! You really did bring back some childhood memories of Christmas and being at Nannie and Papa's. He certainly was a great man, and I wish our children could have known him. Ashlyn rememebers him just a litte, and Jacob was born just a few months before he died. I tell Jacob all the time about the great and wonderful man he was named after.
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