A Marvelous Legacy

Dear Granddaddy,

I picture you celebrating your birthday today with Grandmama.  I know that she is right there by your side and if there is pound cake in Heaven, I'm pretty sure she baked one for you.  Of all the letters I've written to you over the years, this one is surely the hardest to write.  This is the letter you will never receive.

I want to celebrate you so that all the world knows just how remarkable you really were.  I love you and am so thankful that God made me your granddaughter.

Granddaddy, I love you because...

You were honest and direct.  You would tell me what you thought without hesitation. 

You were dependable.  If you said you were going to do it, you did it. And you expected me to also.

You were gentle and caring.  You always met me with a hug and a smile.  You would hold my hand and gently squeeze it to give reassurance when I needed it most.

You taught me that nothing matters more than loving Jesus.  I can still see you sitting on that back deck reading your Bible early in the morning. I remember visiting sick church members with you as you shared God's love.  I love that you taught Sunday School and as a child, I loved going in your class with you.  You painted a beautiful picture of love, both to your Savior and others.

You taught me how to garden.  As much as I complained about those hot days in the garden, I want you to know that I loved every minute.  I learned to plant, pick, and shell peas and butter beans.  You graciously passed on your love of growing vegetables to me.  You are the reason I love strawberries, butter beans, and "Grandmama peas."  Thank you for sharing that joy with me. 

You taught me that hard work pays off.  I would watch you on that red tractor for hours in the field.  I loved the way you would wave to me on your way back to the barn at the end of the day.  You loved being outside and I can still see you plowing the field, wide-brimmed hat on, and wearing those Liberty overalls.

You taught me how to love a spouse.  You spent your life loving your precious Frances and built a family with her.  You held her hand on your wedding day, throughout your life together, and as she took her last breath.  I loved watching the two of you together.  Thank you for showing me what complete devotion looks like for 56 years.  After I married Scott, I asked you the secret to being married for so many years.  Do you remember your answer?  "It's simple," you said, "And two became one." 

You taught me the meaning of "in sickness and in health."  When Grandmama faced Parkinson's disease, you never left her side.  You were there, day after day, caring for her every need.  You cooked, you bathed, you clothed, and you loved.  You were a pillar of unconditional love and when she died, a part of you died.  I learned so much from you during those years.

You taught me about love of country.  You served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and received a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.  I loved how your face lit up when talking about your service.  You were so proud of your time there and the other squadron members. I will always remember what you said when I told you I bought my first car, a Toyota Camry:  "Why would you want a Jap car?"  Your devotion to country certainly ran deep.

You taught me so much more than all of these.  I love you because you were my Granddaddy and you were GreatDad to my children.

I love you because when you were getting ready to leave this Earth, you were still the strength I needed to say good-bye.  Two days before you died, I held your hand for the last time as you struggled to breathe.  It was hard to see you so feeble and weak.  As Sondra and I stood over you, you smiled and said, "I am so proud of you two."  All I could muster through the tears was this: "No, Granddaddy, I am so proud of you." 

For weeks, I've been trying to figure out how I would honor you.  It seems strange to be writing to you instead of visiting the farm and celebrating with family.  It seems odd that you are not here telling me all about WWII.  And it certainly seems amiss to not be able to hug you and tell you how much I love you. But as I think about all that you taught me, I realize that you are still here.  You are a part of who I am and I am so blessed to have known you.

I miss you Granddaddy and the kids miss their GreatDad.  As much as we want to spend this birthday with you, the thought of you celebrating this special day with Grandmama in Heaven makes me smile.  I smile because I know that you are finally at rest.  I smile because I cling to the promise that I will see both of you again.

Happy Birthday, Granddaddy.   You left a marvelous legacy.


But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.  Psalm 103:17

 



A Father to His Children

Days like today can be really hard for those of us who have never been a daddy's girl. 

I have many great things I could tell you about my father:  He is a successful attorney, he provided for my sister and I, and he picked us up every other Friday night at 6:00 like clockwork.  He is the reason I love Alabama football, love to fly, and love peanut butter.  He taught me about baseball and he taught me how to make the best homemade pancakes.  I loved spending weekends with him and my grandparents on their farm.

But as many people experience, sometimes as adults we realize that our parents are not who we would like them to be.  They are real people, with real problems, who make real mistakes.  Sometimes circumstances and situations arise that cause relationships to go sour and it really doesn't matter why, the hurt is still the same.  My father and I don't have a relationship in which I am able to spend the day with him today. The truth is that there are countless little girls just like me who long to spend Father's Day with a daddy who loves them unconditionally.  I love my father, but it's just not going to happen. So, for several Father's Days now, I struggle with the fact that I should call him, I should send a card, I should just do something because deep down inside I'm still the little girl who really wants to make her daddy happy.  Every little girl wants her daddy to sweep her off her feet and dance.

On this Father's Day, however, I choose not to focus on what I don't have.  I do have a Mama that will always answer the phone, always show up, and always tell me she loves me.  She is never too busy, never too sick, and never preoccupied by others in her life to be with me or Sondra. 

She taught me how to use a screwdriver, how to caulk a tub, how to dig a hole, how to trim the bushes, how to mow the lawn, how to drive a car, how to check my oil, how to ride a bike, how to catch a ball, how to throw a ball, and countless other "dad" things. 

The one thing she has never done is criticize my father. Not once in 34 years have I heard a mean word about him. In fact, she is still the one that encourages me to mend the relationship I desire with him. 

Being a mother has never been a choice for her.  I was never an obligation.  I am her daughter and she wants to be with me.  Unconditionally.

Most importantly, I have a Father in heaven who promises to love me forever.  He tells me his love endures forever and that He will never leave me.  He tells me that I am treasured and that He is jealous for me.  I am His daughter and I am so loved.

And so, on this Father's Day, I spent the morning with my mama. I made her pancakes and I thanked her for visiting me this weekend.  I prayed for her safe travels home and I thanked God for the gift of both my parents.  Because of them, I am learning to be best mother I can be.  Unconditionally.

 

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.   Psalm 103:13

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for knowing my heart today.  Thank you for being the daddy that is always with me.  Thank you for loving me, dirt and all.  Thank you for my Mama and my father.  As a child, they both provided for me, protected me, and loved me.  I am especially thankful for the extra duty my mother has always been willing to work for my sister and me.  She is a perfect example of your love.  Help me to be the same unselfish parent that she has been.   I love you daddy, and I can't wait for you to sweep me off my feet and dance. 

Amen


This post was inspired by my good friend's Facebook post. It read "Happy Fathers' Day to all the divorced and single Moms out there who have pulled and continue to pull double duty by doing the work of two parents. Especially to the Moms of boys, who teach their sons how to throw a ball, catch a fish, be a gentleman, and never feel a lack of love a day in their lives."   This status update changed my view of this somewhat difficult day. I pray that all single moms will feel God's blessing upon them today in a special way.

Summer Fun at Alligator Alley

We decided to take a quick trip across the bay to Summerdale to visit Alligator Alley.  We had loads of fun!

 

 

 

 

 



 

We needed a small snow cone to cool us off a bit:

 

 

 

 

Everyone had a chance to hold a real alligator.  Alligators are surprisingly soft!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we began to cross the bridge over the swamp, guess who passed by?  SANTA!  Harris said "I guess even Santa needs a vacation during the summer!"  

 

 



 

 

This is an alligator nest...

 



 

This little guy is named Captain Crunch :)

 

 

 

Waiting to watch them feed the alligators.

 



 

 

 

You could not pay me enough...

 



 

 

 

He fed the alligators whole pigs!

 



 

 

As we watched this guy feed these huge alligators, I leaned over and asked Matt why he thought God made alligators.  He replied, "I don't know, because He can?"  At first, I thought he had given me a lame answer.  But when I thought about it a bit more, I realized that Matt was right.  God doesn't have to have a "reason."  He is the Creator and sometimes, He creates just to show us that He can. 

 

We had such a great day at Alligator Alley.