Today we said goodbye to a man who will forever be missed by so many. My Papa. He was a man of character, with something witty to say in any circumstance. He created his own legacy, the Daddy of two girls, Papa to three boys and five girls and just this year, great-grandpa of one baby boy. He was married to my Mommom for 45 precious years. The preacher at the service today said "I have never seen a closer couple" and he is absolutely right. Their marriage was the stuff little girls dreams are made of. Sweethearts from a young age, they stood beside each other through it all, good or bad. I spent a lot of time at their house, and will always remember the love that they shared. A goodnight kiss every night before bed, playful bickering throughout the day, a shared bowl of popcorn over the evening news, a cup of coffee in the morning. Tears and laughter, highs and lows they were always a united front. Mommom stood beside him the entire time he was ill, worrying about him, while he was worrying about her. If my marriage is half as strong as theirs, I will be blessed.
Some things will always remind me of my Papa. He loved Nascar and westerns, catfish, ribs, fishing, duck hunting, working with his hands, cats, his dogs, his kids, his grandkids, his wife. He was always there to lend a hand with math homework or science projects, always ready to tell a story, teach a goofy nursery rhyme or share words of wisdom that I will carry with me for a lifetime. He was a rock to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. He is my hero.
He is the bravest, strongest man I've ever known. The things that he went through this past year would make anyone want to just give up, but he never did. He kept fighting and through it all, he always had a smile and something funny to say. He always kept us laughing, no matter how bad he felt.
He was the rock of our family. Our center. He built a lot of love, and he could never know how much he will be missed.
I can't wait to tell Trevor all about him. I will teach him Papa's nursery rhymes that drove Mommom nuts. I will pass on all of the funny stories, the wisdom and the love that my Papa gave me. He may not remember him, but he will know him. He will know that he has a very special guardian angel looking after him. He will know how much he was loved by him.
Words of a familiar song filled the cemetery this morning that have never rang more true or pulled at my heart harder than they did today.
I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son
Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son
Vince Gill--Go Rest High on That Mountain
My Papa. Deeply loved, and forever missed.











*Trevor is 2 months, 4 weeks and 1 day old*