Mommy Moments

William meeting his great-granddaddy

My Granddaddy died this last week.

Thankfully, William and I were able to fly to North Carolina to see him. We had to get special permission but they let me bring the baby into ICU so he could meet his great-granddaddy. My grandfather’s face lit up and he became the most animated and active he’d been since being admitted to ICU.

The next morning, at 6:15 am, surrounded by family and with hymns being sung, he peacefully slipped away.

My Grandfather was a great man; well known in his community. He served with distinction from 1942-1973 in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. When we visited, my siblings and I were recognized around town as “Colonel Joe’s grandkids.”  My husband wrote an wonderful article that gives great honor to my Grandfather and more details about his service to America. His obituary is here. My memories here will be more personal ones.

Before his death, many friends sent letters to be read to Colonel Joe. One man who had served under him described him as a man with “the steel of a Marine and the tender heart of a shepherd.”

As his granddaughter, I can certainly attest to his tender heart. He loved having his grandchildren around. He also loved to eat and ice cream was one of his favorite foods. One day when I was about 5, my brother, sister and I were running errands with him. He took us to at least 3 different places and got us ice cream. Then he bought ice cream at the grocery store and gave us some more once we got home. The truth came out when my mom and grandmother wondered why we weren’t eating our dinner.

My Granddaddy was a wonder at making buttermilk pancakes. He heap them high on our plates and keep them coming. He also made us snow cream one year. We went to visit for Christmas and they received an unexpected 18 inches of snow. Practically surrounded by woods, there was a good deal of fresh clean snow, which was gathered up and brought inside. Add a bit of vanilla and some banana, blend it all together and it was the most amazing treat.

My Granddaddy spent the last 20+ years of his life confined to a wheelchair. Never once did I hear him complain and it barely slowed him down. He’d scoot all over his neighborhood visiting and talking, staying so long that on numerous occasions, the battery would die and he’d have to be pushed back. My younger brothers would be given rides around the house on his wheelchair and he let them honk the horn all day long.

He loved to fish, and even when he was no longer physically able to, he still made sure we knew how to properly clean a fish. Neighbors would take us fishing and he would supervise the cleaning process. He introduced us to fresh honey from his own beehives and taught my older brother all about beekeeping.

I have many special memories. My Granddaddy is greatly missed but he no longer has pain and is walking with his Savior. And I’m pretty sure that he and Jesus have already been swapping fish stories.

Colonel Joe

Standing on his the wing of his Corsair