The first memory I have of my strong Granddaddy begins at my Granny and Granddaddy's kitchen table. I would spend my summers at my Granny and Granddaddy's house. Every morning at 6 am we would listen to "Swap and Shop" (an old buy or trade radio show) I would listen to my Granddaddy read the newspaper with great exaggeration on the latest news and he haw laugh after reading the headlines. When Granny served us up a hot meal he would glance over at me and slowly move his hand over to my side pretending to get my food away from me. This was done every morning, and every morning it was still funny! His face he made while he was doing it always made me laugh! After breakfast, swap and shop, and newspaper headlines, I would spend time with my Granny sewing, or attempting it at least, while Granddaddy brought in fire wood for the wood stove and fed his goats. Once the back storm porch door would slam shut I knew then that it was time for Granddaddy to sit in his recliner and we would watch The Price is Right! I don't know how the man did it, but he would always guess the right price! I was always astonished of this! However, if he guessed the "wrong" price, he usually told the show that they were over priced and incorrect. After Price is Right was lunch or "dinner" as it was called in that house. The events that took place after that would be anything from running on the farm, swinging, bringing in farm animals, or working in their garden. They were wonderful summers. I also got off the bus at their house.
My family all grew up on the same road and on the same farm land so getting off the bus at their house was like a quick vacation of play time before heading home for dinner and homework! They would always greet me at the bus and we would enjoy the afternoon together. Something that needs to be proclaimed about my Granddaddy right now is that he was a wonderful basketball player. A grandchild like myself would have never guessed this until this next special memory I have of him. It was sixth grade. I was on a basketball team and practiced outside on their goal every day after school. Granddaddy would sit on the porch and watch. Eventually, I think that he got fed up with me missing so many goals, so he had to show me how it was done! He got up from his chair walked down to me on the driveway and asked for the ball. He walked all the way out to the road (the driveway was a bit short) took the ball in his hands, and raced towards the goals swishing it in. Afterwards saying, "That's how you do a layup, gal" He always called me gal. I loved it. I just stood there in astonishment! I couldn't believe he just did that. After that day I gained a new since of respect for my Granddaddy. He still "had it" He was a stud!
My family all grew up on the same road and on the same farm land so getting off the bus at their house was like a quick vacation of play time before heading home for dinner and homework! They would always greet me at the bus and we would enjoy the afternoon together. Something that needs to be proclaimed about my Granddaddy right now is that he was a wonderful basketball player. A grandchild like myself would have never guessed this until this next special memory I have of him. It was sixth grade. I was on a basketball team and practiced outside on their goal every day after school. Granddaddy would sit on the porch and watch. Eventually, I think that he got fed up with me missing so many goals, so he had to show me how it was done! He got up from his chair walked down to me on the driveway and asked for the ball. He walked all the way out to the road (the driveway was a bit short) took the ball in his hands, and raced towards the goals swishing it in. Afterwards saying, "That's how you do a layup, gal" He always called me gal. I loved it. I just stood there in astonishment! I couldn't believe he just did that. After that day I gained a new since of respect for my Granddaddy. He still "had it" He was a stud! 
He went to every basketball game I played. I think he, once again, finally got fed up with me missing every goal. So he told me one day that if I make a goal he will give me a dollar. I was motivated honey! I remember one game he came to we were in the playoffs. We had back to back games. The first game we won and went on to the next. The next game was rough. My best friend tore her leg muscles to pieces, we had all kinds of technicals called on us, and finally when it was all said and done, we were tied by the end of the game. My technical of one shot would win us the championship game. Talk about nervous. This girl did not get a single goal the entire season. I glanced up to the stands and saw my Granddaddy there. Then I was ready. I shot and hit it in. It was so exciting! After the game he told me that he knew I could do it and payed me my dollar. I still have the dollar. I just can't seem to part ways with it which is saying a lot seeing as money burned up all of my pockets growing up. It was a great day. 
Growing up I always prayed that my Grandaddy would live to be at my wedding. Being the "baby grand" child is tough sometimes. Words can't describe the feeling I had in my heart when I was walking down the isle and glanced over to see my Granddaddy right there on the isle snapping pictures on his digital camera! I LOVED that moment.
I praised God for him being there that day. It was special. That day I married a man that my Granddaddy loves. He said just today in fact that "he's a good man." The two go fishing together, have eaten fish together, and talk about fish non stop when they are together. I am so thankful that God kept my Grandaddy around not only to be at my wedding, but to grow to love my husband so much. My Granddaddy has fought a lot of battles in his time. He has plunged through ICU's, ventilators, and a heck of a lot of surgeries. He has beat anything and everything. He is truly the strongest man that I know. He is a man of God that has a strong, hard head on his shoulders, he has an unconditional love for his boar goats that no one will probably every understand and he'll show you the pictures too, he loves his family more than anything and he can play the heck out of his harmonica better than anyone I know. He taught himself when he was 5. 
He was at home sick with pneumonia and when his mother asked what he wanted from the store, he said a french harp. Every since then, he's been a playing machine. I love it! I visited with my Granddaddy today. It was a wonderful visit. Hearing him call me "gal" with excitement in his voice overjoyed me. It was just me, my Granddaddy, and my Granny. We talked about of course fishing, because he was wondering where in the world John was. We talked about his basketball years, eating fish, baked potatoes, how I roll my hair, my students, my job, his goats, when he and Granny were dating and when they went fishing together. He told me how special I am and how special John is to him. I gave him a letter that I wrote to him today while at work. He told me that he loves letters and that he couldn't wait to read it before bed. My Grandaddy needs your prayers. He is very sick and hospice is coming in this week. Although once can not truly prepare for this and I will never be ready to let go. My Grandaddy has seen a lot in his 94 years and I am proud to say that I've known him for almost 24 of them. 
This is a hard post to write as I've gotten home from the visit, my heart is pouring out, and tears are streaming down my face. Most of you probably haven't even gotten this far, and that's OK, because this is for my Granddaddy. He is a good man. He is a strong man. And he will always be My Granddaddy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment