Today is Papaw’s birthday

My Uncle Clyde sent out an e-mail to the family reminding those who didn’t remember (I did remember!) that today is Papaw’s birthday.  That was his father .  Mama’s, too, since Clyde is Mama’s brother.

Isn’t is amazing that we hold on to these things forever?  I’m being serious here, too.  No matter how long they’re gone, we hold on to them.  My Daddy is still with me.  Mama’s Daddy is still with her.  We all still have our mothers, so far.  Well, some of my uncles who married into the family have lost their mothers.

Uncle Jerry’s mother, Mrs. Robinson (don’t you DARE laugh!) died a few years back at age 90.  Uncle Leonard’s mother, Mrs. Davis, died a little before or after that.  Mama and I sang "Rock of Ages" at Mrs. Davis’s funeral.  Granny Nothern, Uncle Don’s mother, died way back in 1987.  I will always remember her so pleasantly, because she was such a nice old lady.  Aunt Shirley Ann’s mother, Mrs. York, died this year, just before our wedding.

An era is drawing to a close.  I have few great-uncles and great-aunts left.  In fact, I have two great-aunts on the Grant side, one on the Forstmann side, one on the Boyte side, and one on the Franks side.  I used to have more.  A lot more.

There’s also my Grandpa’s Uncle Hardy, who just celebrated his 100th birthday.  He’s my great-great-uncle!!!  Biggie’s brother.  Biggie was my great-grandmother.

I’m just grateful I still have Memaw and Nanny, Mama, Wayne (yes, My Mikey, even big-ole, mean-ole, fat-ole, ugly-ole Papa), Mary Helen, Johnny, Frankie, Alex, Juli, Wayne Jr. and Crystal, Tessy, Terrance, Rachel, Joyce, Jerry and Keisha, Hailey, Cody, Kadence, and Jesse and Ashley.  Of course, now I also have my beautiful daughters, our grandchildren, and, of course, the greatest blessing in my life, My Mikey.

I have a lot.  Too many times, I get wrapped up in the loved ones I have lost, but look how many brothers, sisters, parents, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren we have!

I am a blessed man.

Thank you, God.

My Mikey, I love you forever times PI cubed plus one,

Your Jack