While the nation was having a day of remembrance for people who had lost lives just one year before in the Trade Center bombing we were laying my Papa to rest 6 years ago today. His struggle was relatively short and we knew the end was coming so we were preparing ourselves best we could. Our family happened to be all together celebrating a birthday and just as the party was winding down Mom got the call he had passed away.
Man, I still miss him so . He was a happy jokester type person. He loved a Jack's hamburger, a coca-cola, going fishin' and some Alabama football. He love everything about holidays, the food, the family being around and the gifts. He and I had an on going joke about what we were making each other for Christmas. I had given him some of the tackiest Thrift store finds as gifts. And I treasure those memories.
No matter what he had hurting him if you asked how he was doing he'd say he was doing fine. He never wanted to burden anyone with his problems. He unselfishly took care of his wife until he went into the hospital. He hid from us how progressed her Alzheimer's had gotten and took care of her the best he that he could. He loved her and his family and it showed.
If you wanted to pull a prank on him he hated snakes and a rubber snake would get him in an uproar. He would always tell us kids to "go home with him" anytime he came to visit us. He believed that A&D ointment would cure most anything and a perfect day would end with a bowl of ice cream.
What a example he was for me. To be proud of where I came from, to work hard ,stay positive, love God and your family, laugh, and always enjoy the sweetest things in life.
Gone but never forgotten he has left this world but will forever remain alive in my heart.
