A moment to stop and remember my Papa

Yesterday, March 8th would have been my Papa's birthday but this is the second one that he has not been around for. He passed away in February of last year. My Papa was the most biggest, awesomest, most loving, tallest man I have ever known (at least that was always my impression growing up)...My Papa was an amazing man. He married his wife of many many years when they were only teenagers and he worked very hard all of his life to provide for his family. My Papa took great pride in his family (including his grandchildren - especially me). He called me Tweety Bird because I always like to come sit in his lap and watch Tweety Bird cartoons. My Papa could either be found in one of several places at any given time 1) in his recliner in the den (where it was so hot because he liked to have the heat on) 2) in the garden - he grew the best sweet corn that I have ever tasted...nothing like eating your Papa's corn that he worked to grow 3) somewhere on his boat, spending the day fishing 4) at church. I remember that Papa loved playing music...he was amazing on his electric guitars. There were so many family gatherings where all the men would get out their guitars, saxophones, drums, etc and really bring down the house with some good ole music...the walls on the house must have been shaking from all the noise but we all had a great time.

Several of my fondest memories of Papa 1) convincing me that if I put salt on the rabbits tail that was running around the garden, then I could hold the rabbit....little did I konw that he was standing on the porch doubled over in laughter from watching me chase that stupid rabbit with a salt shaker in hand trying my hardest to get to. I ended up heartbroken each time when the rabbit got away. 2) me sitting in his lap and reading Little Red Riding Hood. I had that book memorized and he would change words and I would catch him everytime and I would tell him "no, no Papa...that isn't right." and then I would say it all correctly from memory. 3) sitting in his lap reading the book Crispin and then us making up the song which I still sing at times and now I tear up just thinking about him when I sing it. (Crispin, Crispin. I been thinkin. What a hound dog you would be. If you kept all your milkbones and didn't share any of them with me)...we would sing and he would play his guitar and we would just laugh. 4) sitting at the kitchen table and I always got "stuck" sitting by him and he would pinch me under the table with his finger like toes thus getting me in trouble for screaming 5) sitting in his lap "helping" him play hearts, spades and dominoes. 6) brushing his silver hair with his hand comb 7) his countless magic tricks, I still don't know the secrets to those tricks 8) best of all I remember asking my mom if I could take Papa to school with me for show and tell because he was the best toy that I ever had.

All these memories of a wonderful man, a wonderful Christian and the best Papa EVER....I would love to be able to see his face one more time and tell him that I love him and hear him call me Tweety Bird.

I will never forget going to sit on his bedside the day that he would pass away. I sat there and told him how much I loved him and that so much was made possible because of him, our family was made possible because of him and grandmother. I am a Christian because he took my father to church and trained him up, who then took me to church. I told him that he should be very proud and know that he was leaving the world a better place then he found it just by being him. He lived an amazing life, married an amazing woman, and left a true legacy for people to follow. I am glad I had that last time to say my goodbyes to him. I will see him again one day and I hope that he is looking down on me and happy with what he sees.

I love you Papa!

Forever Your Tweety Bird

Spring is here!!!

Birds are singing.
Flowers are blooming.
The sun is out longer each day.
Kids get to play outside.
Warmer weather....Yippee!!!
Springtime is here!!! Hooray!

True Friends

Who are your friends? When I say "friend" I don't mean the people that you just chat with and occassionally do things with. A true friend is much more than that. A true friend is the person that you laugh with and cry with. A true friend can lift your spirits when you are so very far down in the dumps. With a true friend, you can laugh your heads off even when you are in the midst of a not so pleasurable experience (Joyce - you know what I am referring to). With a true friend, they know when something is wrong just by the look in your eye. With a true friend, you never have to apologize for how you look. A true friend can stop by your house without calling at odd hours and they don't even have to knock and you don't panick that they are seeing your house looking a mess. True friends are the people that will tell you that you are being an idiot when you are and will force you to better yourself. A true friend knows your real struggles that you are too ashamed to tell others about. A true friend loves your family as much as you do and will keep your kids in a heartbeat and will even volunteer to keep them. True friends are those people in your life who will do things for you that no one else in the world would dream of doing for you.

So to all my TRUE FRIENDS, thank you for being you. Thank you for standing by me and shoving me in the right direction when I need it. Thank you for putting up with me and loving me despite my many flaws (yes I do admit that I have flaws).

So to my friends here are the lyrics to a great song about friends:

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
and I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
if I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not stong
and I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I jus might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on.

Lean on me when you're not strong
and I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on.

Lean on me......