Pap...

...A word that means so much to us.
Whether it's watching Brooke's reaction when my dad plays "Peek a Boo" with her... Or seeing my Pappy Fred steal as many kisses from Brooke as he can... Or watching as H. Ray's (my Pap) eyes light up when Brooke smiles at him... Brooke's Paps mean so much to us...


On Friday, we lost a very special Pap in our lives.
Zig's Pap, Pap George, went to be with Jesus after his very own battle with cancer.
To me, Pap George was the glue that held the family together.
He accepted me for exactly who I was. Never judgemental. Always went out of his way to make me feel comfortable and welcomed. He loved my daughter and he told her so. And he loved my husband and told him as well.

Attending his viewing this evening was harder than I could have imagined. As I looked at the memory wall of pictures from his wonderful life, I spotted pictures of Zig as a baby, then pictures of Brooke. It hit me like a brick wall that Brooke probably won't remember him. She won't remember his soft voice, or how much he adored her, or how he used to get down on the floor and play with her - just hoping to make her smile.

I hope that I can help her to remember her Pap - and be sure that she knows just how wonderful of a man he was. He was a man of God - and one of the best I've ever known.

As we sat in the funeral home, preparing to say goodbye, Zig and I were talking about his Dad. Gram Janet told us that as Pap was taking his last breaths, she asked him to tell Shanty that she missed him... The pure thought breaks my heart. But as Zig and I thought about it, I looked at him and said "Imagine how happy your Dad must have been to see Pap..." Can you imagine the reunion they must have had!!! I feel sure that Shanty was the first of the angels to greet Pap and was most excited to show him around in Heaven! There is so much peace in knowing that they are together - watching over us, protecting us. And most importantly, they're together.

So, to all of our Pap's... Those here on earth - My dad, Freddy, H. Ray... And those in Heaven - Pap Shanty, Pap Ed, and Pap George... We love you!

Rest in peace, sweet George. We'll miss you so much!