I'm understanding that he was a good man with a good heart. He was honest, fair and walked a straight line. He helped to raise Mark and his brothers when Gerald and Linda were unable to take care of the kids. (That in itself, deserves angel wings!) He was a good father, a terrific grandfather and a loyal husband. It's more than fair to say that he led his family by example.
Granny and I were sitting in my front room, sipping on lemonade and talking about Grandpa Jack. She relayed a story to me. Grandpa used to chew tobacco and he would spit in Granny's sink. Man oh man, this really made Granny mad. They fought about it constantly. Granny sort of smiled while she was telling me about the arguments that they would have. Trust me, I could relate to the frustration. I'm not sure that Mark fell far from that tree!
Anyhow, we were in the middle of stories and laughter when Granny got really quiet. I looked over and I could see tears dripping from her cheeks. After a few moments, she composed herself enough to say "Linnette, I would do ANYTHING to have that man spit in my sink again."
I carry that story with me. It put so many things in perspective. That story played a significant role in the reuniting of Mark and myself. Suddenly, so much of what we had fought about just didn't matter any longer. My long haired, hippy, guitar playing man could stay just the way he was.
This makes me giggle! I cringe when you post, because the last time you did i BAWLED .... jerk, i am not sure you have been forgiven for that one yet. ANYWAY, next time you call me complaining that your husband left his socks on the floor, i am going to remind you AGAIN how much you love that lanky, tobacco spitting, messy long curly haired, backwards baseball cap wearing, guitar playing little boy you married.
ReplyDeleteI for one, am glad you two have gotten past the humanness of it all, and gotten to the heart of the matter, after all, its ALL that matters!