Grandaddy

Losing loved ones is never easy. I have lost several over the years, but today I wanted to talk a little about my grandfather. He passed away in March of 2005, but some days it feels like it was only yesterday.

Grandaddy was undoubtedly one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. He could have a conversation with anyone, and if he asked you how your day was you can bet he was genuinely interested and would gladly listen to more than the automatic "fine" response. I don't remember ever hearing Grandaddy speak ill of anyone. He would treat a total stranger like a best friend.

When I was little I would sometimes get to spend the day with he and my grandmother during the summer or on other days when school was out. I would get to accompany them on their daily routine. First thing every morning they would go to the local rec center to walk around the gym. Grandaddy always entered like a rock star. Everyone he met would light up at the sight of him. He spoke to everyone and had a joke for most. It seems like he must have known everybody that went to that center to walk. I always felt so important walking beside my grandfather as he went around the track, brightening everyone's day. After the walk we would always go to McDonald's. It was the hangout for my grandfather and all of his friends each morning. My grandparents would just go for coffee but Grandaddy always bought me a hash brown. I would usually finish the first one off rather quickly and he would slip me some change to go buy another. As was the case with the rec center, Grandaddy was popular here as well. Not only was he the life of the party for all his friends, but he also knew most of the McDonald's staff by name and could always make them smile.

Everyone gets weighed down with regrets as they pass through life, but nothing makes them heavier than having them about someone no longer with us. I sincerely regret not getting to hear more of my grandfather's stories. His father was a doctor and Grandaddy was a state police officer, so you can imagine the kind of entertaining stories he had to tell. I never just sat down with Grandaddy to talk. Not only did he have amazing stories, but he was also a great source of guidance and support. I regret not taking advantage of this like I should have. I remember one day in particular very clearly. I had been fighting with my dad about what I was going to do with my life. I had either just graduated high school or was going to soon. Grandaddy came over and stopped me as I was storming out of the house. He wanted to talk to me and help me figure things out. Being a hot-headed teenager I felt I had had enough of people telling me what to do that day and shouted some things I shouldn't have as I got in my car and drove away. I would take that moment back in a heartbeat if I could.

Grandaddy was a role model if there ever was one. I'd like to think I could be like him someday, but those are big shoes to fill. I hope that eventually I will accomplish things that would have made him proud.