Like dad wrote earlier, Meemaw and Pawpaw often came down and took us out to eat at Morrisons (yes april, the green jello cubes with whipped cream was the bomb.com!!). I remember being so excited to go because at the end of the meal Pawpaw would say "Well, I gotta go pay for this. Kids- you wanna come?" Which meant "Come with me and I will by you things" so of course we went. He always bought us a little handful of those pastel colored dinner mints, and a pack of juicy fruit. I can never chew a peice of Juicy Fruit without thinking about Pawpaw.


I also remember that for pretty much my entire life up until I got married (and even still..just not as much) I have not been fond of physical contact of any form. If you wanted a hug, it came from the side...or sometimes I would even back into a hug. I remember every time Memaw and Pawpaw would come he would say "You're gonna hug me and you're gonna like it" I would say "I dont HATE hugs pawpaw" and he would say "What are you gonna do when you're married and your husband wants a hug?" I figured I would just suddenly like them when I found the right guy. (hardy har har). It finally clicked one day that even though I may not like hugs (especially Jasons hugs cause he would stick my face in his armpit!!!), most red-blooded americans like and even NEED them and I think Pawpaw was one of them. I realized this when i was about 14 and ever since I made sure I gave Pawpaw a really good tight squeeze. Boy am I so glad I can't regret not hugging my Pawpaw!!!