Papa

As many of you know, we lost Josh's dad in the early hours of Memorial Day. While death is never easy, it was particularly difficult because it was so very sudden and unexpected. We were blessed to spend the weekend with him in Nashville and were able to hug him and pray with him on Sunday morning before they left to go home. The boys experienced one last "bzzt" and "skeedlebump" and Everleigh got a few last hugs and kisses. We were able to get one picture of Mimi and Papa with all of their grandbabies, and for these special blessings, we are so grateful. I chose a few of my favorite pictures of Papa with the kids. And I've written them a letter so that when their memories fade, they will still remember the man that he was and all that he meant to so many.

Brax, Brody, and Everleigh,

My sweet babies, your Papa was a man that you should aspire to be in so many ways. First and foremost, he loved the Lord. He wasn't afraid to show it and his joy was contagious. The man knew how to love. He loved his five grandbabies more than anything in the world. He lived for the times that he could be with you and spoil you. He was an amazing father to your daddy and Uncle Bobber. He loved spending time with them, hunting, playing sports and just enjoying their company. He taught your daddy how to be the wonderful daddy that he is to the three of you. He loved Aunt KK and me just like we were his daughters. There was never any "in-law" in his vocabulary. And he LOVED your Mimi. She was the apple of his eye for most of his life. He treated her with respect and they learned and grew through their love of Jesus. Boys, I pray that you grow up to be husbands like your Papa, and Everleigh, I pray that you grow up to marry a man like him. In addition to his love for his family, he loved his friends and he loved strangers. He was a giver. He loved to help people. We all knew this about him long ago, but the stories that we heard at his funeral confirmed that he was a man who was not afraid to give and to love anyone who needed it. I pray that your memories don't fade, but I know that you are small and that time will erase some of the times that you shared with him. Brax, you were so special to him because you were his first grandchild. He loved to watch you grow and found such joy in seeing you learn new things. Spoiling you was second nature to him and he even bought a tractor and a four-wheeler just to "do things around the farm." We all know that it was because he wanted to give you rides :) You loved playing outside with him, showing off your soccer skills and riding your bikes. Papa was a goofy guy and you guys spent so much time being silly together. He loved you deeply, Brax, and he was so proud of the little boy that you were growing into. I pray that you always know that and hold that deep in your heart. Brody, you and Papa had a special bond from the time that you were a baby. When no one else could soothe you, Papa had special tricks. You would always calm for him and chose him to hold you over everyone else. When your crazy antics would frustrate me, Papa would stand in the corner and chuckle, sometimes to the point of tears. You and Brax reminded him so much of Uncle Bobber and Daddy when they were kiddos. Brody, you brought Papa so much joy and he loved you so very much. I pray that as you grow you know that he's watching you and laughing with you, even though we can't see him. Sweet Everleigh, your Papa only knew you for such a short while, be he was so excited about having two grandaughters. Since he never experienced daughters himself, you and Lexi held such a special place in his heart. He and Mimi were the first people to buy "girl clothes" for you and couldn't wait to hold you on the day that you were born. Your name- "leigh" is after Papa's middle name, Lee. I'm thankful that you will always have a part of him with you. I'm so thankful that he got to meet you and hold you, that we have pictures of the two of you together. It truly hurts me that you will never know him. He loved you so much, precious girl, and I know that he's waiting to spoil you in Heaven someday. Dear kiddos, your Papa was such a special and inspiring man. Our lives will not be the same without him here. However, he would have wanted us to continue on loving others like he loved others. He left such a legacy for our family. And while we will miss him everyday, we know that we will see him again in Heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for that assurance. For this life is but a blink!