Wow, I have been absent so long from my blog, I had forgotten my last post, pretty long ago. We have had many fun, family adventures this summer. I have many pics. and stories to share. One of them is a loss in our lives. I will share this today. This past Sunday, July 18th Brian's dad, (Jack, Paw Paw Jack, Paw Paw Jackie Joe, Smilin Jack) went home to be with his Jesus. He was ready to make that leap. He has struggled for a while now with his health and his body not working correctly, and at the end he would say, "I hear you calling me Lord". What faith, and marvelous perspective this man had. If you knew Jack you would have to give a little smile when hearing this because he was so matter of fact sometimes. He knew what he wanted and he got the job done, much and the same as my husband, wonder where he got that from? This quality that Jack gave him has made my husband into who he is today.
A little about this Paw Paw my kids knew and still know.
.He loved Isabelle and Ian with his whole heart. His other grand kids as well.
.He thought they were so special, the apple of his eye.
.He loved to give them "piggy food" as we all called it, to put in their piggies. This was coins/money for their piggy banks to spend on what they wanted. He loved to do this and divide up the coins among them.
.He loved to bring them surprises. He would buy little gifts here and there to give for not a special purpose, but of the purpose of, he loved them, and was showing them in that way.
.He liked to give treats, or candy to them. They liked to go to paw paws and get his pop-cycles. He had special ones.
.The kids loved to go to paw paws house and play. Even though his body didn't permit him to get up and play with them. He had toys, and of course lady dog the kids would chase through the house after.
.The kids loved their paw paw and I hope will always remember him in some way, maybe through a picture or memory.
This man I knew:
.He was a giving/generous man. I'm not sure he believed as you get older you don't get anything for your birthday or special occasions, because he always remembered mine even in my thirties. He never missed a birthday. I always got something special from him. Always a card and a little something special in the card. Even though I am in my thirties, it made me feel special that he thought about me on my special day, and was generous to me.
.He never forgot Brian and my Anniversary. We always got a card and usually something in the card. This year was special because he took us out as a family for our Anniversary. I remember it just like yesterday, even if it was a little over a month ago. He liked to make things special, and I know he was proud of his boy for celebrating 12 years.
.He treated me so sweet, just like a daughter.
.He liked to do little things here and there as he could, just to show he cared.
.He really loved God with everything that was in him.
.He had a love of music, which I would say both his boys do as well today.
.He loved to play the saxophone.
.Many more things I could share today, but will limit them.
We will miss his visits, and visiting him, but we know he is whole and well now. No more pain, or suffering for him, he is with his Jesus. I still see his smile in my mind, wondering if he is smiling down on us today. Love and miss you Paw Paw Jack, see you again some day.
