Pa-Paw

It was only a few months ago that I found myself writing a post about my Nonnie and her passing. Now her dear husband has joined her in eternal life. This morning my Pa-Paw passed away peacefully in the arms of my Mimi his daughter-in-law. I loved my Pa-Paw very much and while I am sad that he is no longer here, I rejoice in knowing that he is with our Lord dancing in heaven with my Nonnie, his wife.

By the grace of God I got to see him for the last time the day after my wedding. He had not attended the wedding due to his heath and the high temperatures that we experienced on the day of our outdoor wedding. He did come the day after though, to my parents house to a sort of brunch they had for our family. It was wonderful to see him and spend such an exciting time with him.

One thing I will never forget about my Pa-Paw was his tender love and compassion he always showed to his family. The devotion in which he took care of my Nonnie was breath taking. He stayed by her side through thick and thin, sickness and health, poorness and wealth literally until death did them part. On the day of our wedding while I was saying my vows I not only thought of the husband I was saying them too, but each of the couples in my family who have been shining examples of life-long marriages and love. My Nonnie and Pa-Paw were one of those examples. I also thought particularly of the men in those relationships and the way they treated their wives and how they acted out the Biblical command of "cherishing". My Pa-Paw was an incredible example of that.

On that last day that I saw him he didn't say much, but sang the entire song that he has always sang to me since the first day that I met him. It goes:

K-K-K-Katie, beautiful Katie,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the c-c-c-cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.

I love you, Pa-Paw and I can't wait till one day we are together again in heaven with our dear Lord.