Last week the only grandfather I've known suddenly passed away. He literally worked until his dying day. A hard worker, live off the land man, he was in his yard piddling around and came inside to relax. He asked his wife for a cool rag and began clenching his chest. Instantly a massive heart attack took his life. My grandmother asked my cousin to preach the funeral and asked that I speak a few words. Nervous, yet honored, I agreed. Below is the poem I wrote that will reflect on his life.
Who's that? Walking down the path wearing a stocking cap?
Look close, what's in his hand? Why there's that aluminum can. To the pile it shall go. Cashed in one day will be his fortune. How much? We don't know.
Walk into the shed, but please...watch your head! Hammered as high as he could reach but much too low a ceiling for you or for me.
Say, Grandpa, I'm looking for one of these. He scurries through a pile of stuff and quickly rescues just the right size to remedy your problem. Nothing labeled, nothing measured and as far as I can tell not organized to any degree you or I could find anything, just parts and pieces in coffee cans; but you better believe there's not a thing that can't be fixed with something in that little workshop out back. A bike tire, a lawnmower, even your car.
As a child from the boat we'd fish. Nana would fry them up, man...to this day it's still my favorite dish! Now the plain corn flakes, un-sweet tea, pancakes with Karo syrup and food with no salt. Those aren't to my liking but that's not your fault.
Riding bikes so far we would go. Laughter and excitement were the only feelings we would know. Walking and talking and learning all I can. Yes, Grandpa, you helped me become a man. You'd show me love and caring and understand. If I were scared you'd take me by the hand. You'd pull me close and give me a hug. Your scruffy beard giving me comfort as, I love you, son are the words you would say. That, Grandpa would brighten my day. To know you were proud and that deeply you cared. I'm so, so fond of the times that we shared. Yes, even those times you cut my hair!
As I grow older and hopefully wiser, as you, I will treasure the times I spend with my kids and be able to laugh at all they do. I will long for the moment they can come into the garden and help me get cucumbers to eat right then and there. Those. Those are the moments I'm so glad we shared.
Yes, it was hot in the house, come winter and wood heaters, this we all know. But NaNa's and Grandpa's was a favorite place to go.
Grandpa, I love you. I miss you. That, you should know.
Who's that? Walking down the path wearing a stocking cap?
Look close, what's in his hand? Why there's that aluminum can. To the pile it shall go. Cashed in one day will be his fortune. How much? We don't know.
Walk into the shed, but please...watch your head! Hammered as high as he could reach but much too low a ceiling for you or for me.
Say, Grandpa, I'm looking for one of these. He scurries through a pile of stuff and quickly rescues just the right size to remedy your problem. Nothing labeled, nothing measured and as far as I can tell not organized to any degree you or I could find anything, just parts and pieces in coffee cans; but you better believe there's not a thing that can't be fixed with something in that little workshop out back. A bike tire, a lawnmower, even your car.
As a child from the boat we'd fish. Nana would fry them up, man...to this day it's still my favorite dish! Now the plain corn flakes, un-sweet tea, pancakes with Karo syrup and food with no salt. Those aren't to my liking but that's not your fault.
Riding bikes so far we would go. Laughter and excitement were the only feelings we would know. Walking and talking and learning all I can. Yes, Grandpa, you helped me become a man. You'd show me love and caring and understand. If I were scared you'd take me by the hand. You'd pull me close and give me a hug. Your scruffy beard giving me comfort as, I love you, son are the words you would say. That, Grandpa would brighten my day. To know you were proud and that deeply you cared. I'm so, so fond of the times that we shared. Yes, even those times you cut my hair!
As I grow older and hopefully wiser, as you, I will treasure the times I spend with my kids and be able to laugh at all they do. I will long for the moment they can come into the garden and help me get cucumbers to eat right then and there. Those. Those are the moments I'm so glad we shared.
Yes, it was hot in the house, come winter and wood heaters, this we all know. But NaNa's and Grandpa's was a favorite place to go.
Grandpa, I love you. I miss you. That, you should know.
