My mom’s dad was the best storyteller in the world. I grew up hearing stories from him about life as a kid on the Indian range (I was at least 10 years old before I realized that my grandpa wasn’t actually an Indian)…life hunting buffalo and living in a leaky teepee made by his mom. He told stories of living in California as a mountain logger and stories from Ohio when he worked the oil fields and I loved every single minute of it…even the thousandth time I heard them.
Papa passed on great stories to me along with horrible eye sight and crooked teeth. He taught me how to make homemade spaghetti sauce and how to burn a hamburger. He gave me the best nicknames, loved to watch me tap dance and was my taxi driver for years. He game me so much wisdom about life and the Lord and taught me to enjoy the simple things like a game of Monopoly or sitting around talking with family. He was also the loudest snorer on the planet and the writer of many silly songs that had all the same verses. Papa was a superhero. He was always so strong, was super intelligent and he could do anything.
He also gave me hope for a marriage that can stand the tests of time. He and my Gramma were married for just shy of 63 years. Now that’s a love that is real and that’s what I hope for in my marriage someday. I’m not naive enough to think that it was always easy for them but they chose each other for forever and they believed in honoring that commitment to each other and to God. They worked through the hard times and celebrated in the good times. Their love was beautiful and I will never forget what it was like to see them still holding hands, taking care of each other and joking with one another.
My favorite storyteller passed away last night and I am terribly sad that I won’t get to hear his stories anymore but I know that Jesus is having a great big belly laugh while listening to them in heaven.
Watch over me Papa I could use another guardian angel.
Love you forever,
J
