We called him Pappy, but his other grandchildren called him Poppy. I sure wish I had more memories of him. I do know he was a wonderful man with a shy kind of smile and a warm heart. He spent his time worshipping Jesus and loving his wife. He was a very loving husband and loved Grandma with all his heart, so it was sort of a shock when he took on another wife a few years after Grandma died. It was sweet too to see the Pappy we all knew and loved with a new lady. She was nothing at all like Grandma and it showed in Pappy. I even saw him kiss her a couple times.
He died a few years later on December 15. I got a call from Mom that Pappy had a heart attack and if I wanted to see him, I should go to the hospital since it didn't look good. I got to the hospital and was with him at his bedside, along with my parents and aunt and uncle, when he died. It was so peaceful. I remember thinking it was so sad that I would never see him open his eyes again, but on the other hand when he did open his eyes he would see Jesus and Grandma. What a wonderful feeling to know 100% that this sweet man was going to Heaven.
I sure wish I had more memories of him. I was a wacky teenager when my mom and dad married and I just didn't' have the time for stuff like that. As I sit here writing this with tears in my eyes, I realize I was stupid. I wish I could have gotten to know him on a grandaughterly level. I know that he could have taught me so many things. I wish he could have gotten to see my children. I wish my children could have known him too. What a positive influence that would have been on me and the kids.
Regrets cannot be bought back after someone is gone. I know that now, so, Pappy if you're able to see this from Heaven, I Love You and I'm sorry I didn't get to know you better.
I treasure the clock that I have on my wall that was yours. When I wind it, I think of you. You were an awesome clockmaker. I do remember one time when I spent the night at your place with Grandma (a funny kind of memory.) I was sleeping in the guest bedroom with like a million clocks hanging on the walls and I was having a hard time sleeping. I guess in my dreams I was annoyed that the clocks were so loud and in my sleep I got out of bed and took something off of one of them. When I woke up the next morning there it lay beside me on the bed and I was terrified that I broke all your clocks. It's funny now but I was sure that you and Grandma would be so mad at me. I don't think I ever told either one of you that story. Cat's out of the bag now.
I'm sure Pappy understood the whole situation with me and I'm sure he prayed for all of us. He was quiet, but you knew he was a good man.
He drove a big ol' green Cadillac - he was not a fancy man, but he had a fancy car. He took good care of that car too.
He died on December 15 and was buried on my mom and dad's wedding anniversary which is December 18. Not a happy anniversary.
Not many years later my dad's sister died on the same date and she was also buried on Mom and Dad's anniversary. Mom and Dad have since changed the date they celebrate their anniversary.
Dad, on this day I hope you know that your dad was lucky to have you for a son and you were so lucky to have him for a dad. I'm sure he's smiling down from Heaven with joy in his heart for you. I love you and am thinking of you today.
Love,
Your daughter.
Here's a picture of Pappy and Grandma Ogburn. It's a very old picture, but it's the only one I have.
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