Who Shot a Hole in my Sobrero?!

I have been struggling to right the perfect tribute to my Papa. A man so incredible deserves that. I guess all I can do is try to describe what my Papa means to me. I have been blessed with such an incredible family and at the head of our family is our Papa. From the time I was a little girl I have the most vivid memories of my Papa. He was always making us laugh and smile with his signature song "Who shot a hole in my sombrero?". He had of course written the lyrics to the song and they changed regularly but each time he sang the chorus he would blame one of us grandkids for shooting the hole in his sombrero and we would crack up and try to blame it on someone else. Papa- I still don't know who shot the hole in your sombrero...but it was not me! Haha I don't have a single bad memory of being at Papa and Granny's house. It was a "happy place" for me because when I was there I was surrounded by family. We used to go over to Granny and Papas as little kiddos and swim for hours in their hot tub. Granny would eventually have to come and coax us out with cookies or another treat because we would have stayed in there all day! They had a downstairs living room in their old house that we converted into our play room. Many a great adventure took place down there and we played more games of red light green light than I could possibly count. They also had a downstairs bathroom with a fickle lock that my cousin Garrett was notorious for getting locked in. I would always have to call Papa from upstairs to come down and guide Garrett on how to get out. Each time he would laugh and do so with a smile...clearly he had a lot of patience!

Holidays were always the best times with Papa and Granny. We always gather at their house to enjoy faith, food and family. One Christmas we asked papa what he wanted and he told us he needed some new shorts. This seemed like an incredibly odd request given that it was the middle of winter and none of us had ever seen papa wear shorts...but we assumed that maybe he needed them for the hot Texas summers and proceeded to buy him shorts. When Christmas Day rolled around and Papa began opening his presents we couldn't help but notice a look of confusion. Papa said something like "well I sure got a lot of shorts, not sure if I'm going to wear these". Puzzled, my aunt said, "well that's what you asked for!". A grin exploded on papa's face from ear to ear as he realized there had been a miscommunication. He had meant shorts as in underwear not as in actual shorts! The entire room bust into laughter!

Holidays were always special because Papa would give us talks that lasted about an hour. During this time he would share advice, his faith, his thoughts, and his stories. One of my favorite lessons he taught was his thoughts on faith. He said that each person is a vessel and therefore we should stand with one hand up receiving blessings and talents from God and one hand down channeling these gifts to others. Those who are blessed should be a blessing to others. As good Christians we shouldn't stand with one hand up and the other on our hip for that is a selfish way to live. Eventually we become "full" of blessings and God stops filling us up so to speak. If we continue to live our lives helping others however He will continue to provide. This is such a strong image and it will stick with me forever. No matter how much or how little I have I will always take time to care about others and help them.

Papa was a coach and leader to so many and I credit him with teaching me he most important lesson of all- how to love. Teaching is more than just speaking words, it is being a living example. My Papa was the best example that anyone could ever ask for. From a young age he sacrificed so much to raise my mom, aunts and uncle. Putting aside many of his own hopes and dreams and opting to raise his kids. Papa, however, never saw this as a sacrifice because being a dad was the best job he could imagine. Through his example, he showed me what it means to be an incredible parent. He did everything possible to provide for his family. He taught them the most important things in life where a strong faith in God, love, and family. Money was always tight but Papa never let that stop him. My mom always told me a story about walking in one night when she was a young girl and seeing her Daddy on his knees and talking. She asked what he was doing and Papa replied that he was talking to God. She then asked what he was talking to God about and he told her that he was praying for wisdom. He was praying for the wisdom to make the right decisions for his family, the wisdom to guide and lead his children, the wisdom to know right from wrong and the wisdom to always seek God for the answers to life's many questions. God must have answered his prayers because Papa was the wisest man I have ever known. Another night my mom walked in on my Papa praying and he said that he was praying for faith and food. It was the end of the month and money was especially tight. So tight in fact that there wasn't enough money to buy food for the family for the upcoming week. Papa told my mom to have faith and to believe that God would find a way to provide for them. My mom listened to his advice and kneeled by his side... praying for God to take care of them and trusting that He would. Lo and behold, a bag of potatoes fell off a truck right outside their house and it was just enough to get them through the week. God always provides for those who love and trust in Him.

Papa and his kids (Marka, Randy, Shawna, and Tonya)

Papa taught me an invaluable lesson about marriage. Papa and Granny (Diane) met when they were in their 50's and for my papa it was love at first sight. Papa was a principal at Highland Park and Granny was the principal at Garland. They met at a conference and he asked her on a date immediately. My mom knew Diane was something special when Papa spent 30 minutes trying on different outfits before their first date. A few short months later they were married and they have been sweethearts ever since. Granny and Papa are a shining example of soulmates. They are truly made by God for one another. They were best friends and they have a deep passionate love for one another. Papa always called Granny "his beautiful bride" and "sweetie" and Granny always called Papa "her sweetie pie". They went on dates and courted each other until the last days of Papa's life. They had an incredible romance and love story that I hope to emulate in my own life. Granny and Papa have come to EVERYTHING I have ever done growing up and they have loved and supported me every single step of the way. Granny and Papa took me out to a special lunch a couple of summers ago after I had just been through a major break up. They told me about their marriage and how they found each other. They encouraged me to write down all of the qualities that were important to me in a partner and to put this list inside my bible and pray every night for my soulmate. They gave me additional advice on respect, faith, and finances. I did as they advised and made my list and put it in my bible. Months later I met Logan and it was truly as if he was tailor made to fit that list! Once again my Papa was right. Had I not had that talk with him and granny I don't think I would have been ready to meet Logan when I did or to recognize that he was the one that God had made for me. It breaks my heart to know that Papa won't be here to see me and Logan spend our life together but I know he will be watching and guiding from above. He always told me that he wanted me to be happy and I am the happiest I have ever been. I am glad that he got to meet Logan and spend some time with him. In the few times Logan spent with Papa he was like a sponge, absorbing every story and lesson that Papa taught. He made a big impact on Logan. I have always said that I want the man I marry to ask my dad and my papa for their blessing. My mom knew this and after Papa passed she told me that Papa had given his stamp of approval on Logan. My heart swelled with joy! Somehow Papa knew how important it was to me to have his approval and even though Logan didn't get around to asking him quiet yet he made sure my mom knew that he believed that we were soulmates and that he trusted Logan with my heart. :)

I have concluded that I will never stop missing Papa but with each passing day I get one day closer to seeing him again. I see him in small things...like a song on the radio or a random act of kindness. But I also have so much of him still here because his lessons and the way he taught me to live and love will never leave... and those are the big things. As I am getting into my new jobs I wish more than anything I could pick up the phone and call him. I know he couldn't care less about a custom shirt or getting his teeth whitened...those type of things never mattered to him haha but I also know that he'd be my first customer. I have had a rough and sleepless week and as I got ready this morning I said a silent prayer to help me get through today. As I finished the song "When I get where I'm going" came on the radio and the most peaceful feeling came over me. I think it was my
Papa reminding me to stay positive and to let me know that he's still watching over me. I love you Papa and I will never stop! I sure do miss you, but I know I'll see you again someday.

"I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy and he'll match me step for step, and I'll tell him how I missed him every minute since he left and then I'll hug his neck..."