The Strongest Man Alive

Many of you know that Kevin and I recently took a quick trip down to south-east Texas to visit my PawPaw who has terminal cancer. It was one of the hardest weekends of my life while also being one of the most rewarding weekends of my life. I knew I needed to get down there to say my goodbyes to the strongest man I have ever known. PawPaw is technically my Dad's uncle, who helped raise him until he was 12. He never knew his biological father, but PawPaw or Uncle Buck as he is known, filled that fatherly figure in my fathers life and the grandfather role in our life. While it was so hard sitting with PawPaw in his hospital room, it was wonderful to talk with him while he had his voice box on about memories and stories. It amazes me a man 88 years old can have such an amazing memory, including remembering everyones phone numbers. Some of our memories that we discussed were:

Riding on the riding lawnmower, thinking it was the coolest thing ever!

Swimming in the irrigation ditch while my mom was napping after she told us we couldn't but PawPaw said we could!

Riding the "horse" with his legs propped up on the bed, trying to buck up off.

Swinging on the tree swing with Mimi (Aunt Mary) who passed away over 15 years ago

Miss Mrytis, PawPaw's wife for the last 15 years. She is the sole reason he did not die of a broken heart when Mimi died. We owe her so much.

It is hard watching the strongest man that you know lay in his hospital bed and cry, just wanting to go home to his famous garden. Or to repeat over and over, what a good life he has had. As hard as it was to sit there and hold his hand and rub his head, it was one of the best weekends of my life. I am so blessed to be able to call this man my family. My prayer is that he will not be in any pain or discomfort, whatever that may mean.