Remembering PawPaw
I’ve always considered myself lucky when it comes to my family, especially when it comes to my PawPaw and Granny. They accepted me as their granddaughter when I was 3 years old. That’s when my mom married the man who became my dad. They’ve been a part of my life ever since.
My PawPaw took his last breath on February 20. Even though he had battled several illnesses off and on for the last two decades, his passing was completely unexpected. He wasn’t sick at the time. He just closed his eyes in the middle of a conversation with my Granny and was gone. Peacefully. With no pain. But of course I’m selfish. Even though we had all just celebrated his 77th birthday two weeks earlier, none of us got to say a final goodbye.
I’m not sure what life looks like without PawPaw in it. I’ll miss the way he would squeeze my hand and kiss it after saying the blessing. I’ll miss his stories and laugh. I’ll miss the way his eyes lit up anytime he played with Alexis. I’ll never smell Old Spice or tobacco without thinking of him. Thanksgiving will never be the same.
I’m so grateful I had him in my life for 30 years. I’m so blessed he was able to know Alexis. He didn't have to accept me as his granddaughter all those years ago, but I’m so glad he did.
My heart is broken, but I’m so much better for having known him.
1 comments
I am very sorry for your loss, Ashton. Clearly, as seen in these pictures, your PawPaw was a devoted family man with a generous heart. It is indeed a blessing that he and Granny accepted you as their granddaughter and that he lived to know Alexis. My thoughts are with you, dear friend, and with little Alexis and the rest of your family as you cope with this great loss and move forward without PawPaw.
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