Pen Pals

I have heard it said many times that it is only after a person is gone that we share what they mean to us. Why we do this, I do not know. I, for one, do not want that to be the case in my life with people that I love. I want them to know how much they mean to me while they are living.

My cousin, Lindsey, and I were talking on the phone one day this past week. We were laughing and crying over memories from our childhood trips to our Granddaddy’s. She made the comment that her kids, AJ and Addison Jewel, were pen pals with him. I thought that was the sweetest thing and it got me to thinking about all the letters he has received through the years, and still does. His children, scattered all over the United States, writing to keep him up to date with their lives and updating him on the grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. Of course, filling him in on the latest accomplishments, from extracurricular to scholastic. Oh, the memories that pass over pen and paper. We never realize the history we are writing.

As I sat thinking about pen pals, I realized what I needed to do. Sometimes a person needs a trip down memory lane. Sometimes a person needs to know how much they mean to you. Sometimes a person needs to know how they have impacted your life.

I pray as I write my letter, you, dear reader, might see someone in your own life who needs reminding of just how special they are. Never take people for granted. After all, people are what life is all about.

Dear Granddaddy,

You have always been a simple man; A man of the past. It doesn’t take much to make you happy; A thick sliced tomato sandwich with mayo and good ole white bread, or sitting on a porch swing listening to it rain. Perhaps traveling down an old dirt road with a country store at the end of it, or meeting a young gal, named Bessie Jewel, at the “Snow Frost” in town. That was Heaven for you. The love you have for your family goes without saying and you treasure the times we gather together and share stories of the present and the past. These simple pleasures are high class living for an old country boy like you.

Hotdogs are a gourmet delicacy in your house, with Nutty Bars for a sweet ending. A box of Shipley doughnuts carries more memories than it does pounds for our family. There is no place that can make a doughnut better than the old bakery in Greenwood. I can still feel the chocolate filling run down my face as it gushed out of the sides. A little coffee to go with our cream and sugar made the doughnuts perfection.

Three little girls lined up beside you on the front seat of that old car of yours, I think it was a Montecarlo or Impala, either way, we didn’t care much. We were lined up singing, “Sweet Potato Pie and Shut My Mouth,” While you drove us around Greenwood. Eva Jewel now sings the song as loud as she can. Only, it’s from the front seat of an old pickup truck. Both of your great granddaughters are named for the young gal at the “Snow Frost.”

What fun we had as little girls, traveling to see you each summer; Swimming at the city pool and playing games with our cousins. You would take us to the park to watch the hot air balloons sail off in the sky. Mom and Dad always made sure each summer visit had family reunions to attend and watermelons to eat.

Growing up with you as our Granddaddy was something special. Nothing gave you more heartwarming pleasure than your children and grandchildren. You should know, your simple life has rubbed off on us all in one way or another. There is now a new generation waiting to learn about Shipley doughnuts, “Sweet Potato Pie,” and Nutty bars. We all have more letters to write you. So, keep living and enjoying the simple life. The world has been a better place because of you.

We all love you BIG,

Welcome Home!

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

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