remembering Papa.
Eleven and a half years ago I got married. And eleven and a half years ago, I gained a Papa.
I remember being overwhelmed at the thought of meeting Dusty's very large family, of which I immediately knew was the most important thing in the world to him. Before I ever even saw anyone face to face, I had been quizzed and learned all the names of his brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and last but not least, Grandma and Papa. I fell in love with Papa instantly.
He was just likable. He's the kind of person you meet and instantly feel comfortable around, welcomed, and loved. As I've watched him over the years and heard countless stories from his children and grandchildren I can tell you this - never has there been a man more respected. His family was his utmost importance. He was the hardest worker and everything he had, he worked from the ground up to get. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He wasn't the type of person that needed to say a word. You could look at the way he lived and just learn. He didn't have to practice what he preached, he just did. What an example.
Never would he miss a football, baseball, or soccer game - or a Christmas play or talent show. He showed up. Always. He was everyone's number one fan. His pockets were never without candy - starbursts, tootsie rolls, something. He figured out my boys didn't like either of those things and would send twizzlers for Silas and chocolate for Eli. I still have a Hershey bar in my cabinet that he sent home with the boys last time they visited.
He loved babies. If there was a baby, he was holding it. When we went on our Alaskan cruise after Eli was born, he carried him around in my sling as much as possible.
He also loved to fish. Every year he took fishing trips and would bring back enough to feed the entire family. That's a lot of fish. I couldn't count how many fish frys I've been to over the years.
My favorite thing though, was probably watching him and Grandma together. I loved the way they would laugh together, kid one another, say whatever it was they needed to say. At the end of the day, not only did they truly love one another deeply, but were the best of friends. If ever there were a love story I'd want to watch, it'd be that one.
When I think of Pop, I think of the legacy he has left behind - a wife, 3 kids, 9 grandsons, 16 great grandkids, and of course all the spouses that have married in! The family is everything. Of course no one's perfect and disagreements come and go, but they're in it through thick and thin - all the way through to the end. When the grandsons were all called and told to go to the hospital on Sunday morning, thankfully I was able to go along with Dusty to say goodbye. I had the opportunity to witness the most beautiful scene. I have never seen anything like it and probably never will again. Through tears, I watched as each grandson - one by one - said goodbye, as he gave each of them a blessing. I also got to tell him I loved him and he told me to "take care of those boys."
It still doesn't feel real or possible for him to be gone. He was always so full of energy and life. He lived it to the fullest. Though I wish the time were longer, I can say my life was blessed and better to have known Pop the time that I did. He has blessed our family in immeasurable ways and I will forever be thankful. We love and miss you, Pop.
We will continue your legacy. And I will take care of those boys.
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I remember being overwhelmed at the thought of meeting Dusty's very large family, of which I immediately knew was the most important thing in the world to him. Before I ever even saw anyone face to face, I had been quizzed and learned all the names of his brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and last but not least, Grandma and Papa. I fell in love with Papa instantly.
He was just likable. He's the kind of person you meet and instantly feel comfortable around, welcomed, and loved. As I've watched him over the years and heard countless stories from his children and grandchildren I can tell you this - never has there been a man more respected. His family was his utmost importance. He was the hardest worker and everything he had, he worked from the ground up to get. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He wasn't the type of person that needed to say a word. You could look at the way he lived and just learn. He didn't have to practice what he preached, he just did. What an example.
Never would he miss a football, baseball, or soccer game - or a Christmas play or talent show. He showed up. Always. He was everyone's number one fan. His pockets were never without candy - starbursts, tootsie rolls, something. He figured out my boys didn't like either of those things and would send twizzlers for Silas and chocolate for Eli. I still have a Hershey bar in my cabinet that he sent home with the boys last time they visited.
He loved babies. If there was a baby, he was holding it. When we went on our Alaskan cruise after Eli was born, he carried him around in my sling as much as possible.
He also loved to fish. Every year he took fishing trips and would bring back enough to feed the entire family. That's a lot of fish. I couldn't count how many fish frys I've been to over the years.
My favorite thing though, was probably watching him and Grandma together. I loved the way they would laugh together, kid one another, say whatever it was they needed to say. At the end of the day, not only did they truly love one another deeply, but were the best of friends. If ever there were a love story I'd want to watch, it'd be that one.
When I think of Pop, I think of the legacy he has left behind - a wife, 3 kids, 9 grandsons, 16 great grandkids, and of course all the spouses that have married in! The family is everything. Of course no one's perfect and disagreements come and go, but they're in it through thick and thin - all the way through to the end. When the grandsons were all called and told to go to the hospital on Sunday morning, thankfully I was able to go along with Dusty to say goodbye. I had the opportunity to witness the most beautiful scene. I have never seen anything like it and probably never will again. Through tears, I watched as each grandson - one by one - said goodbye, as he gave each of them a blessing. I also got to tell him I loved him and he told me to "take care of those boys."
It still doesn't feel real or possible for him to be gone. He was always so full of energy and life. He lived it to the fullest. Though I wish the time were longer, I can say my life was blessed and better to have known Pop the time that I did. He has blessed our family in immeasurable ways and I will forever be thankful. We love and miss you, Pop.
We will continue your legacy. And I will take care of those boys.
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| This candid perfectly describes Pop. |
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| His bride - married since they were 16. |
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| Another candid - he was so full of life. |
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| Holding Silas moments after he was born. |
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| He always got a kick out of Silas' cheeks. Hound dog, he'd call him! |
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| Look at that face, holding Eli. Love it. |
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| On our Alaskan cruise. |
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3 Comments
Every visit I've made to San Diego (and that is many), Pop has been a special presence. Although I didn't have the opportunity to know him well, he went out of his way to show kindness to me and your dad. He will be remembered.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, the pictures you took were the last gift given to Papa. He loved them, he was touched by the love and time you and all the girls took to give him the gift. He told me mom and Bill that we could never have picked such perfect girls for our family. He was so thankful that each and everyone of you came into our family.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa, It was so fun to look through the pictures of Remembering Papa, one year is coming up and It still
ReplyDeleteseems like yesterday we were all planning some new event. With football, baseball, soccer or just what ever all these
kids were into, we would be trying to juggle our days to meet them all, and I can say this, That was the only dates Papa
Would worry about making. He will always be remembered and loved. Thanks for the memories. Love You. Grandma