Pap

Well today marks 25 years that my granddaddy went on to be with the Lord. He was known to us as Pap. He was 84 when he died and lived his whole adult life waiting for a Saul/Paul on Damascus Road experience to accept the Lord. But, thankful 3 weeks before he died he told us that he was ready to meet the Lord and he had made things right and finally gotten things settled with the Lord.

I spent a lot of time together with Pap, we went to town together, and after my grandmother died we always took flowers to her grave together, a lot. I walked about a mile one way to see him many times as a teenager before I could drive. That was when you could get out and walk in the country. He had a green porch swing that we swang in a lot together talking over things, but not talking about anything.

Then I got license, and a job and a boyfriend, then a husband and I did not have time for my granddaddy. For a while Alan and I lived beside him when Nikki was born. I worked on a public job, had a husband and a new baby, and had just gotten in church and I did not have time for Pap. He would call me every afternoon when I would get home for work to see how I was and how things were going. If only I had been more patient with him when he called and had known and realized that I would not always have Pap around. I wish someone would have told me these things. But if they had would I have listened, probably not. I wish I could go talk to him, tell him things, swing in that green swing with him again on his front porch.

I have a lot of regrets where my granddaddy is concerned and that is something that I have to live with. However, I do want to encourage all of you younger readers to take the time to spend with your parents, grandparents or those that are important to in your life because they will not always be around. I don't want you to have to live with the regrets that I do and to wish that you had taken more time with those that are elderly in your life just because you are busy, tired or just don't want to deal with it today. Enjoy what time you have with them and listen to their stories and learn from their wisdom.

As much as Pap has been on my mind today, Jesus is the one I really want to see and talk with. I have been thinking today about HIM and what all He has done for me. I have a lot to praise HIM for. You see He is the one who has chosen me to be His child. Oh What a Savior Is!!!

Until We Meet Again
Joan