One More Angel in Heaven

I've been debating whether I wanted to post this or not, but I feel like I need to. I need to let everyone know what a wonderful person my grandfather was. He was an inspiring role model, a dedicated christian, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a die-hard Citadel man.

We lost Poppa last Sunday night. I got to the hospital about 20 minutes after he passed away. At first I thought I would regret this, but looking back, I realize that it was probably for the best. I had taken both boys by that Monday. He had held Bennett and thrown the ball for Reeves. I now know how lucky I am that this is the last memory I will have of him. I hope Reeves will be able to remember that day as well as he grows up.
My heart aches for Grandmother right now. I know that Poppa is in a perfect place now, but it's hard on those of us still sporting our mortal coils, and I know it is hardest on her. Our lives have changed in that he's not out there anymore. We can't pop by and see him; we can't call him and hear his distinctive voice. Our everyday lives haven't changed too much other than the places in our hearts that were once reserved for love and caring for Poppa are now occupied by how much we miss him. But Grandmother's world has been changed. Everyday she sees where he used to be, and I can only imagine how much that breaks her heart. She's still in the house that they built together almost 60 years ago. She now sits down to an empty breakfast table and next to a silent Lazy Boy. I know dying is a part of life, and we all knew this day would come, but it doesn't make it any easier. I'm glad we have a big family to be there for her. I'm glad she has a great network of friends as well. Both are such an important support system.

Poppa loved his family more than anything. I know he was a wonderful father to my mother and her siblings, but I think he was really put on this earth to be a grandfather. He took us on trips up to the farm and to Disneyworld and Dollywood. He played with us in the surf at the beach. I still remember vividly going down to the beach in the late afternoons and jumping off of his shoulders into the waves. He took us to play golf with him and would give us advice on our swings. He (and my mother) made sure we always spoke proper English. I remember growing up that I would always say "was like" when what I was meaning was "said". He took it as his own personal mission to break me of that. He would say "Like what?" every time I said it. I don't know that I completely stopped saying it, but to this day I am much more cognisant of it and still try not to say it. As much pleasure as his grandchildren brought him, his greatgrandchildren only sweetened the pot. He would get very emotional each time he saw them. I can only imagine how amazing it must be to look down on three more generations. I hope I am so lucky one day. It is truly a gift from God.

A week before he died, I brought Poppa the papers for him to sign to give my boys their Provisional Appointments to The Citadel. It doesn't guarantee they'll go there, but I want them to know how important that school was to their greatgrandfather and how much it meant to him that they just might end up there. It was a very emotional moment for all of us.It's hard to believe that was less than three weeks ago. We miss him so much. In the words of Pearl and Frannie's grandfather, "He's gotten his final promotion." What a legacy he left.