Tuesday, November 24, 2020
I agree that Pappaw was one of the kindest, most gentle men, and also patient. He was so patient with us when we were little, and also when we were older and doing things that maybe we shouldn't have been doing.. like speeding around the block on his 3-wheel bicycle as fast as we could, nearly turning it over, with Crickett in the front basket. I remember spending the night at the little house in the alley, when Mammaw would cook cinnamon rolls, they loved to watch HeeHaw and the Grand Ole Opry.. Sitting on the back of the recliner combing his hair for a nickel, dime or quarter, drinking Pepsi or Dr. Pepper from the 16 oz. glass bottles, with peanuts in the bottom. Always singing. Even as his Alzheimers progressed, he was generally happy, and singing or whistling, or making a joke. Tweedly-dee, Tweedle-dum, he would sing as he tapped himself on the stomach. When he got to where he couldn't recognize people, he would still say "now it was nice meeting you, and you come on by anytime and let us know if we can do anything for you" when I would go to leave. Generous and hospitable to the end. That is how I will remember him. And I will remember when my parents came out to visit this past June, and when my Dad walked in, he looked right at him, his face lit up, and he said, "well, there's my boy!", and as quickly as it came, it went, a fleeting moment of clarity, the last time that my Dad saw him. What a nice gift. Precious memories, how they linger. His passing leaves an empty space in our lives, but I am happy that he no longer struggles or suffers, his spirit is free.
