Granddaddy

A giant of a man. A pillar of the community. 6'4 tower of a man. A cornerstone of his church, the most compassionate and endearing veterinarian.

Mother and I will travel to Greenbrier Saturday and help him get paperwork and finances in order for his next move. He has decided that the 2 bedroom rental is just too large now, and the space is very unnecessary.

I suppose the last lengthy visit we had, other that Christmas, was our trip to Little Rock last fall for the AVMA Arkansas convention at the Peabody. We all hid in the lobby attempting to keep the surprise from him, that he was the honoree.

Watching his hands tremble due to the onset of Parkinson's Disease as he did his best to hold his notes for his speech. Thankful that the much younger doctor that bought Granddaddy's practice came to his rescue and held them steady for him.

Remembering endless days as a young girl visiting his ranch. Toni and I running all day from the garden, to the barn, to the wooded lot, back to the patio, sneaking nibbles of mint that Grandmother had growing on the east side of the house. The two of us arguing about which one would ride in the back of the pick up and which in the front, jumping at the chance to go with him to check on a downed horse or calf. Whichever one of us won, would have to lay down in the bed of the truck until we cleared the pine grove because if mother looked out and saw us, she would undoubtedly have a full blown stroke.

Grandaddy will be moving into a studio apartment April 1st.

This year he will be 95 years old. He has led an incredibly long and ever-giving life. Even today, carrying hot meals to the "old folks" as he refers to them, checking his pocket organizer for Saturday's schedule of events, making sure that he will be able to pencil us in. He is a very busy man you know, and some things just can not be rescheduled or omitted.

I intend to spend my visit with him this weekend soaking up his knowledge, admiring his patience and longevity, and simply enjoy him.