March 10

On March 10, 2013 Heaven gained a new Angel.

Junior Drinkard

10/22/25-03/10/13

                Even when you're prepared, you're not. Over the past several months we'd all seen a gradual decline in Paw Paw's health. In fall of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital for a severe hernia unexpectedly and was never able to return home. At the time,  he was 85, so it's not like he had just been skipping around or anything, but he lived independently, he drove, he piddled around in the yard...for the most part, he was pretty active. Well, active for an 85 year old.  We celebrated his 86th birthday at the hospital, and then his 87th at the nursing home. Paw Paw was in the hospital on and off a few times over the last year, most recently last winter, right before Christmas and then again earlier this month. The change between the two visits was startling. Gone was the man I knew, replaced with someone ready to be reunited with his beloved wife & Savior. We had warning, we knew it was coming, and it still hurt. It still hurts.

               I've always been very close to all of my grandparents, but I was probably closest to my Maw Maw & Paw Paw. Before I started school, they were my daycare. I was treated to extravagant breakfasts, long prepared lunches,  my own personal toy room (as it was just me usually) forced nap times during "soap opera hour" and the occasional threat of a spanking via my own freshly chosen switch (though I don't remember ever that ever being followed thru). All thru Elementary school, I spent my mornings & afternoons at their house. My grandparents would arrive for school at a minimum of 1 hour early to be first in line. We were usually last to leave as my Paw Paw enjoyed socializing with the other teachers & students. This tradition continued with my sisters & cousins as well. He received an award from Berryhill Elementary when my sisters were there for his help in walking the students to their cars. As I got older, Wednesday night became "our" night. Before I could drive, I spent Wednesday evenings with my Dad. We usually ate dinner at Maw Maw & Paw Paw's before he dropped me off at church. After I could drive, the tradition continued. Often armed with several friends, we were always greeted with an hugs, a hot meal, a cold coke & more love than words can say. While I was away for college I called them every. single. day after work/school. I had about a 15 minute window of lead way before my phone would light up. Just to check on me. Just to be sure I was okay. After my Grandmother passed away in 05, me & Paw Paw began "WhatAburger" Wednesdays. At the time, they were buy one get one free, which to him was like the deal of the century. He would head up to WhatABurger around 3:30 (though the BOGO deal doesn't even start until 4:30) and patiently wait. He said this was to avoid the traffic. This also meant, that when I arrived after work, usually between 5:45 & 6.....the poor burger had been microwaved about 75 times so that it would be warm for me. If I ever die from radiation poisoning, you can blame it on the hundreds of burgers I ate that had been repeatedly warmed for hours.

             Looking back, I cannot remember one single major event in which my Maw Maw & Paw Paw missed. They were in the front row of every recital,  each school play. They insisted on me making stops before each and every school dance. They both made it to my high school graduation, but only my Paw Paw was around by the time I graduated college. Still, he made the long trip (in his mind) to Tallahassee for my graduation. He put on his best suit for my wedding. I was so glad he was able to meet John, to meet the kids. He LOVED kids & he loved when the kids would come with me to Sandy Ridge (though those were very rare/short visits) to see him. They always brought such a smile to his face. I will surely miss that smile.  

             I will miss so many, many things about my Paw Paw; Seeing him speeding around my Dad's "farm" on his gator, driving up to him siting by his front porch in his favorite chair just enjoying the weather, & our Saturday date nights on the town to the "Farmers Opry" or to his favorite restaurant. He LOVED to go out to eat. You could barely get him to eat a decent meal at home, but he would scrape his plate clean at a restaurant. He would get all dressed up when we went out too. Always. I will miss him telling me not to "pick" on him, the way he talked about his family, the way he liked my "fine" red car...even though the seats were too low. I'll always remember how he lit up when he saw someone he recognized, which did not equate to someone he actually knew, the pride he took in his yard and keeping his flowers in bloom, how he loved sweets; specifically red velvet cake, Reese's pieces, and chocolate covered cherries, & how he loved me.

              Even though I know he was ready. Even though I know he's in a better place. Even though I know he's finally free of pain, free of sadness, free of hurt...this selfish heart of mine wants him back. I don't imagine that will change anytime soon.