Let's go eat!

No doubt about it, RW loved to eat. Only a fool would step between that man and his plate. Of course, he wouldn't allow you to, because he ate with his face 4 inches from the plate.

My question is, what did he love to eat?
What are several things that you remember that Papaw loved to eat?
What was his favorite of all?

Famous Words

I would describe Papaw as a man who taught by his example not so much by his words of instruction. Obviously I'm not talking about scripture related teachings because he was stellar at using his words to teach God's ways. I'm talking more about life's lessons, principles, and unspoken laws of success. Example: I don't remember him specifically teaching me how to work hard with his words. He would just show me how to work hard by raking leaves like a crazy man.
So I find that I have learned more from Papaw by watching him, than by listening to him.
I'm curious, can you remember specific sayings, or lessons, or clear instruction from Papaw? Did he have some golden nuggets of success that he shared with you? What were some of the famous words that Papaw lived by, and also shared with you?

A few things

1) I always thought Sniff Sniff looked like Pawpaw. Also, I can't remember what sniff sniff would talk to us about. Can anybody help?

2) Once at Meems and Pepaws house, they were talking to me about when I was a little girl. Pawpaw was just sitting there staring at me and he suddenly says "You know, when you were little, I thought you were a retard child". I threw my pillow at him and said "PAWPAW!!!!" And he started laughing and said "Well, we couldn't get you to say anything. I thought you were retarded until one day you talked". NICE!!!

3) Richard- thanks for making this blog!! I didn't think Pawpaws death would effect me as greatly as it has. I have loved checking this blog numerous times a day. It's great to read what other people thought of him, remember stories, and just still have part of Pawpaw to take with me every day.

4) I GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldnt even have started college if Pawpaw hadn't given me money to pay for it, so thanks Pawpaw!!!!!!1

RW needed nature

I've been thinking about how RW loved nature. Looking back at some of my memories, I wonder if it was something deeper for him. If maybe nature was some kind of therapy for his intense life.

Most years on an afternoon during the fall he would take me driving around looking at leaves. I don't think he had any clue where he wanted to end up. He just kept following the pretty colors. Inevitably it would get too distracting and he'd pull the car over and we'd walk through the woods.

He is the only person I can remember teaching me about the different kind of birds. For my 12th birthday, he bought me a bird book to help me identify them. He often would walk outside the shop with me and we would play with the Killdeer.

I've watched him plant many a tomato and pepper plant.

In the deep part of summer, he could sit and listen to the Cicadas for hours.

Nature seemed to be Papaw's music. It seemed to do something for him. He acted like it was more than just enjoyment. He seemed to need it.

What was he thinking?

Before PawPaw's stroke, there was one question that we never had to wonder about - "what was PawPaw thinking?"  There was no mystery- he'd let ya know flat out what he was thinking and what his opinion was about a particular subject, even if it hurt your feelings a tad.  

In my adult years, I have really come to appreciate that quality in people.  I like to know that when I leave the conversation- the air is clear and everything was said.  I am glad PawPaw spoke his mind and gave us an opportunity to speak ours as well.  

I remember one time, in high school, I was really disappointed with a decision PawPaw made.  I decided to write him a letter and express my disappointment to him.  I had no idea how he would respond, all I knew was that in our relationship, he had given me enough confidence to speak my mind- even when I was expressing disagreement or hurt.  It wasn't long at all, when a letter arrived in our mailbox in response to mine.  I have to be honest and admit, it wasn't quite the response I was looking for.  I thought for sure he'd take my side :), but it was clear that he didn't.  I remember I shed a few tears as my pride was wounded and I was hurt, but the situation turned out so much better than I could have anticipated at that time and perhaps PawPaw had enough wisdom to see further into the future than I could with my selfish little high school brain.  

After PawPaw's strokes, one of the hardest things for me was how quiet PawPaw became.  The fierce communicator who spoke his mind to anyone, had become quiet and reserved.  No longer did I know what was churning in that mind of his- and that made me sad.

The most vivid memory I have of this was the summer I went to Mongolia.  The summer before my Senior year of college, I spent almost 6 weeks in Mongolia.  It was an INCREDIBLE time but boy was I glad to be returning home after being so far apart from family, with limited communication at times.  I had quite a long layover in Los Angeles before my last leg of the journey to B'ham.  I was sitting on my carry on, soon after deboarding the plane trying to get in touch with my mom to let her know that I had made it to L.A. when all of a sudden I heard a "SOMEBODY SHOUT HALLELUJAH!"  I looked up and was absolutely stunned to see my dad walking toward me!  I just burst into tears and couldn't even speak.  I hadn't been in America more than 1 hour when I was wrapped in the loving arms of my dad.  He had used his sky miles to fly out to L.A. just to meet me at the airport and fly back with me.  We had an overnight flight and were scheduled to arrive in Bham early the next morning.  My mom and Memaw planned to have a breakfast at Memaw and Pawpaw's on the way home from the airport and all the family that was in town at the time came.  It was an awesome reception and they wanted to hear about what I thought when I saw my dad show up at the L.A. airport. 

 As I was telling the story, I looked down to the head of the table at my precious PawPaw, and there were tears streaming down his face.  In that moment, I was overwhelmed with an intense feeling of love for him-  I will NEVER forget that moment for as long as I live.  Although he spoke no words- the tears I saw communicated a million things to me.  I felt like I saw a glimpse of his heart- his sweet, tender, loving, compassionate, family- oriented heart. Although I will never know for sure what he was thinking- I like to imagine I know and it makes me love my Pawpaw even more.

Rugs

Leslie's story:
We all know Pawpaw as one who wasn't one to hang around after the meal was over. He and Memaw would sit for a little while on the couch as if they were going to stay and visit. However it wouldn't be long until he was walking out the door. One time after Joe and Sharon remodeled the downstairs of there house we were all over there for lunch. Pawpaw commented on how it looked nice, he liked the new wood floors that they put in and he especially enjoyed the rugs. No one thought much of it until after lunch. Memaw and Pawpaw were sitting on the couch as usual and we were all visiting. 10, 15, 20 minutes pass by, maybe more, when we realized Pawpaw was still sitting on the couch. I remember Sharon ribbing him a little about how surprising it was that he was still there and not acting antsy to leave. However I don't remember if someone asked him point blank why he was comfortable enough to stay so long but somehow it came out that, "Well, I just like the rug I guess. It looks nice." Of course we all laughed and assumed he just felt like it made it more homey? Does that mean that if every place felt that homey then he would stay longer? Who knows but it sure was funny!

One Leg Up

Remember how Pawpaw used to sit in his recliner? He always had one leg up and over the arm of the chair just dangling there as he relaxed. I can still see him sitting like that in there house in B'ham when rooster was alive and well. We'd watch rooster walk all over Pawpaw's belly up to his shoulder over to his leg and back around again. One leg up.

My PawPaw was fearless

I love this story about PawPaw and Nate:

When Nate was in his senior year of college, My mom was just getting going with her Real Estate business.  At the time she was buying foreclosed homes and renovating them.  She had a lot of work to be done, so Nate decided to travel to B'ham for two weeks and work for her.  

PawPaw, who was quite restless those days as he had transitioned out of Promise and wasn't quite sure how to fill his time, was also anxious to help mom in her new business venture.  He was glad to get out of the house and fill his time with manual labor.  The type of manual labor required for fixing up these homes was probably a little more than the average early-70 year old man should be tackling- but we all know, PawPaw was anything but average.

Nate found himself on one of those blazing hot Alabama- summer days, on top of a roof with PawPaw cleaning out the gutters.  One thing you must know about Nate, is that he is deathly afraid of heights.  Once he is on the roof, he is fine, but it's the climbing up and down the ladders that completely freaks him out.  The particular ladder that was being used that day had Nathan pretty concerned as it was already a little janky looking and wasn't resting on even ground. When the job was complete and it was time to return to the safety of the ground, Nathan found himself frozen, staring at the ladder.  He paused just long enough for PawPaw to shove him out of the way, mutter a "come on boy" and start to make his way down the ladder first.  When PawPaw got to the bottom, he held the ladder for Nate :)