As many of you already know, our Papa went home to be with Jesus one week ago today. What an amazing man he was. I was so blessed to have a very close relationship with him throughout all of my life, but even more so in the past 5 years, as we were next door neighbors up until just 6 months ago when we moved into town. He was such a giving, generous, quiet man who lived a life that has left our family an incredible legacy. I’m so proud to say that one gentlemen that came to his visitation said “He was the closest thing to Jesus I’ve ever seen.” Our family was overwhelmed by the solid line of people that lasted from 5-9pm that came to offer their respects at his visitation. It’s hard to believe he’s gone, but we have great peace in knowing where he is and that is walking with and seeing Jesus face-to-face.

My grandpa was the kind of guy who was always offering help to whoever needed it. When his heart gave out last Tuesday morning he had just gotten on his lawnmower to go mow the grass when he saw his neighbor up the hill trying to clean up limbs from his yard and he just had to go help. He wouldn’t have wanted to go any other way.

My girls called him “Old Papa.” The have been blessed with so many “papa’s” that they all have a certain name. The girls loved their Old Papa like nothing else. And they were his pride and joy. One of their favorite things was to get Old Papa’s fruity gum. He’d always have a pack of fruity gum in his pocket just for them. We even buried him with two pieces of fruity gum in his pocket.

Last Tuesday was one of the most difficult days of my life, if not THE most difficult day of my life. This will mark the first time I’ve ever lost someone so close. I have cried many nights here recently just thinking about when this time would come. He had been so weak for the past few months, but that didn’t stop him much. When my grandma called and said my papa was down in the yard without a pulse my own heart nearly stopped. I couldn’t believe the words I was hearing. The girls and I were actually getting ready to go to their house to have lunch. They rushed him to the hospital and was able to get his pulse back, but none of us got our hopes up. His blood pressure and breathing were only keeping up due to the machines and medication. He was never responsive the rest of that day. The immediate family gathered at the hospital and when the last one got in we took him off the machines. My papa loved to hear his girls sing, so we sang him home to meet Jesus. The words of the song “Precious Jesus Take My Hand” took on a whole new meaning as we waited for him to take the hand of Jesus for eternity. “Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home. When the way grows drear, Precious Lord linger near. When my life is almost gone, Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand, lest I fall. Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead my home.”

We were so fortunate to have gotten to spend so many days with him just before he went to his eternal home. He spent all day Friday and all day Saturday with us, as well as many days prior to that. They were up here Monday, too, and as he loaded his truck with some things that he was going to take home with him, there was one more thing that wouldn’t fit and he said “I’ll get that next time.” Oh how those words ring in my ears. Monday evening as he sat with my grandma in their chairs, they were talking about something and he said “You just never know what tomorrow holds……” And we sure didn’t. But we rest in the comfort of knowing where he is and knowing that he lived a life of no regrets.

Papa holding his first great-granddaughter, Sarah Grace

Making Mud Pies with Grace and Jackson - a Papa Specialty! He was really looking forward to doing this with Kessed this summer because she loves the dirt!

Grace and Papa fishin’

Playin’ with Kessed on the floor

Having pretend food with Grace

Old Papa, Gee Gee, Grace and Kessed

Down by the Garden

Swinging the girls

Giving Kessed a horsey ride

Plane ride to Alabama for my sister’s wedding

This past Christmas

Papa and Kessed at her 2nd Birthday Party

Kessed getting into Papa’s pocket to find his fruity gum

Old Papa and Gee Gee in the kitchen - what a team!

Floyd Curtis Lovelace, Our Papa 1927-2008