Dear PawPaw,
I don’t have many childhood memories that don’t include you. I mean, since Mama and Papa weren’t sure they could take care of twin newborns, I spent my first two weeks of life at your house. I loved that house and how much warmth and affection you filled it with. I didn’t mind the spoiling either. Spending the night with you and Grandma was always a treat. And I giggle every time you tell the story of you trying to sneak quietly to get ready for work – long before the sun came up – only to have my sister and I appear right behind you when Grandma started breakfast.
I loved to go camping with you in state parks. From you I learned how to fish, play Uno and put peanuts in Dr. Pepper. And I don’t imagine many college students bring their friends to hang out with the grandparents, but I sure did. Old roommates, church friends and a bunch of rowdy rednecks (boy, what a phase that was) all sat at your feet and enjoyed your hospitality. I considered you one of the kindest and most non-judgmental people I ever knew. When I had a chance to take a class at Baylor with a former preacher from your church, I disclosed our common connection. He told me that you and my dad’s dad were the finest men in that church. Even though we are both much older and neither living in the same town, some things stay the same.
The origin story of the dresser you have in your room delights me every time I hear it. Grandma told it to me once and my Mama repeats it when I ask her to. Things were tight the first year you married. A job at the cement plant making 25 cents an hour and a baby on the way left little financial margin. When you promised each other to save your money instead of exchanging Christmas presents, you couldn’t keep that promise to your new bride. Every morning Grandma packed your lunch and asked if you wanted a thermos or a nickel for a cold drink. You always chose the nickel, but saved them all and presented her with a chest of drawers that Christmas. Nothing fancy, but I don’t think she loved anything more except you. If I got anything in the story wrong, I would relish hearing it again.
You may not have come from much, but you used a little to build quite a legacy. The way you loved Grandma set an example for my parents, for me and now for my children. I could not count how many times you’ve said, “She was everything a man could want.” or “She was some woman.”
Your welcoming and accepting spirit blazed a trail ahead of your time. To my recollection there was not a need, once known, that you didn’t try to meet. You will one day have a line of people in heaven waiting to thank you for your generosity, your love, your kind attention and your service to God’s kingdom. But for now, I rejoice that you are still with us, loving us as only a PawPaw can.
I want to close with the words of a note from Grandma lovingly placed in your lunchbox. It tickles me that you still carry it in your wallet, even though she went to her eternal reward 25 years ago. “You are very special to me and have given me a good life.” My sentiments exactly.
I Love You,
Lauren
I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’ Job 32:7 NLT
And now for this week’s featured post!
I had the toughest time EVER selecting a feature this week. So many beautiful posts. So in the end, my heart strings pulled me to the help I need right now. How to Find God’s Comfort in the Hard Middle hit me in the soft underbelly of my own grief and waiting. It’s the spots where I have no physical resource that challenge my patience and faith the most, but Sarah Geringer reminds us that prayer and trust in the Lord lead to growth and deeper relationship with the only one who can help. Thanks for linking up, Sarah.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Back in May I had a text conversation with my bonus son (I have his permission to print it here). When sharing ideas on spiritual matters, it struck me that our exchange spoke to a key question many have regarding Christianity. Namely, the grace versus works debate. I decided to present our discourse here and let it speak for itself.