Remembering Grandpa

--I remember him in his blue coveralls in the garden. Mostly we just watched, sometimes we "helped."

--When he wasn't working, you could find him relaxing on the couch with his hands behind his head, eyes closed, but not sleeping: Just resting his eyes.

--Now, I do remember a stern Grandpa who threatened to spank Andrea and me when we were giggling past bedtime. I was probably 12 at the time, and the thought of being spanked made me want to laugh even harder, but we were able to control our laughter or at least quiet it until Grandpa went back upstairs.

--The most memorable experience I had with Grandpa was the last time I saw him. My dad tried to prepare us for how frail Grandpa would be, but we still weren't prepared. But, it didn't matter what Grandpa looked like, he was still Grandpa. I remember sitting on the den floor with all my siblings and some Hunt cousins as Grandpa talked to us. Honestly, I can't remember what he said, but I remember knowing he loved us, he loved the Lord, and he wasnt' afraid to die. Then each of us was able to have a one on one talk with Grandpa. I remember him asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him that I wanted to be a teacher, but I was also thinking about physical therapy because they made more money. He stopped me right there and told me not to make my decision based on how much money I would make, but instead, to base it on how happpy I would be. Right there, while I sat at his feet, I decided I was going to be a teacher, and even though I knew I would never be rich doing so, I never changed my mind. And, I have never regretted it, because it has been such a blessing to me and my children.

--Yes, Grandpa could be strict, but he knew what was important and he passed that on to those he loved, and that included me!