Happy Memorial Day...Remembering my Papa

Good morning friends and Happy Memorial Day!  I hope all of you are enjoying a nice holiday weekend and are getting to spend time with the ones you love.  We went to a family cookout with hubby's family yesterday and are hosting one at our house this afternoon.  I am looking forward to that!

I wanted to tell you a little about another special  man in my life....now don't go gettin any ideas!  Hubby and I are fine.  This man was in my life from the day I was born.  He was my Papa.

If ever there was a man I looked up to other than my daddy, it was him.  He was an old time preacher man who loved the Lord and everyone around him.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are riding my bike around their paved driveway while he sat under the shade tree smiling.  I can vividly take myself back to those times and remember the way I felt.  I was close to him and was there when he passed.  I would give anything to talk to him again and smell that fresh scent of Old Spice aftershave.  But...I know one day I will.  Smile.

He was also a WWII veteran.  No, he didn't win any major medals.  No he wasn't a Sergeant. No he didn't rescue millions or capture a bad guy.  He was a military police and had great stories to share.

In my 10th grade year in high school, I was in an advanced history class with a teacher who had a passion for WWII.  He was an awesome teacher who brought lessons to life.  One of our assignments was to record and interview a WWII veteran.  I thought nothing of it really and was grateful to have one in my family.  I remember so vividly taking my "Talkboy" over to their house (right across the street) and asking him these questions.  I could tell he was nervous, but it turned out well.  I got an A on the assignment.  It was forgotten about.  Our teacher asked to keep the tapes and nothing more was thought about that.  I was glad to have an A.

Later after my Papa passed away...years later...i thought about that tape.  I often wondered if my teacher still had those but quickly dismissed the thought thinking there was no way he would keep all those year after year. One day about 2 years ago, I thought about it again e-mailed him just taking a chance.  Guess what?  He still had it....12 years later!  Oh my...luckily, he is still teaching at the high school and luckily again, it is only 1/4 mile from my house.  I went the next day to pick it up.  What a treasure.  I was shaking when I picked it up.  I was scared it would mess up if I played it and I didn't want anything to happen to it.  It was several weeks before I got up the nerve to play it.  There it was....his voice.  I could hear it again.  What a wave of emotions it was but good and happy ones too! I had to preserve it.  I got busy and came up with this video and burned several copies onto a DVD.  I wanted to share the interview with you and a small glimpse into my Papa's life.  Enjoy and Happy memorial Day!

And here is the interview...