Grandad at Wrigley Field, circa 1946
Grandad, Grandma, Dad (front left), Dicky & John
Newly enlisted and heading to WWII with the 21st Regiment
of the 101st Airborne Division.
HBJ was a paratrooper.
My Grandmother also enlisted. She joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (
WAAC). My grandfather and she met and fell in love in Italy during WWII.
Framed memories on my grandparents' wall.
An oil painting by my grandfather. It hung over the chair where he always read his newspaper.
My most lovely dollhouse hand-made by grandad.
Walking through my grandfather's backyard workshop this weekend I found this paint sample card posted up on the cork board. It's what he used to choose the colors for the dollhouse he made me 25 years ago.
Portuguese Sonnet & Pine Grove ... the sentiment brings a tear to my eye.
On August 30, 2007 with his family at his side, my grandfather passed away. Only a week prior, Chad, the girls, and I drove down to visit my grandparents and Dicky. I was anxious to see them since it had been so long since Christmas. I wanted them to see how the girls had grown, enjoy a good meal, go to Sunday services, and simply enjoy their company. We got to do all of those things. Grandad grilled steaks for us, we went swimming, we told stories, he held the girls, and sang songs to them. After dessert and tv we all turned in for the evening. Early the next morning he had his first stroke. How thankful I am that we were able to share those last days with him! That we were able to support my grandmother. That I was able to hold his hand and tell him how dearly I loved him.
We had his memorial service last week. It was wonderful. My dad, Uncle John, Jackie, Mike & I spoke. I wanted to share those words with you. To let you know what a wonderful man he was and that I might further honor him.
Memorial Service September 13, 2007
Over the past few years my husband has developed a phrase that he reserves for stand-alone, top-notch, and one-of-a-kind performances. At that point he turns to me and says, “Now That’s Great America.” Truly, my grandfather was a great American who helped, in his own way, to make America great. His life story could only be called amazing…from an orphanage, to a world war, to a major league baseball team… But, I can’t talk about those things because I don’t know much more than some dates, and team names, and random facts. However, what I do know about my grandfather is this:
· He taught me how to play gin rummy over a bowl of ice cream in the tv room…
· He loved my mom’s thanksgiving meal but mostly the apple pie with ice cream.
· He could make beautiful yellow dollhouses with white trim, green shutters, carpeted rooms, electricity, and a picture of us cut out and framed on the little wall…one day my daughters will play with that dollhouse.
What I know about my grandfather is:
· When I was only a few years old he indulged me in singing “Pop Goes the Weasel” as many times as I delighted.
· He and Grandma and Dicky drove to visit us no matter how far we were.
· In third grade, he patiently allowed me to apply all 8 steps of the Mary Kay Skin cleansing system to his face. This even included a sticky green mask that must sit on one’s face for a minimum of ten minutes.
What I know about my grandfather is:
· In his upholstery shop I learned how to make buttons, drive a nail, and inflate a raft using the air compressor.
· I learned to swim in his pool.
· To give with a generous spirit.
· To stand for something and hold fierce to your beliefs.
What I know about my grandfather is:
· He knew how to “chew the fat” on a front lawn in South Carolina while throwing back some boiled peanuts.
· He taught me the word “Pester”…because that’s pretty much what I did when I was waiting for him to finish reading his newspaper.
· He and my dad and Uncle John would sit in the corner after a holiday meal telling jokes and stories laughing until they were all in tears.
What I know about my grandfather is:
· That I not only inherited a last name…but a legacy.
· That he believed in Jesus, in the Church, and in Christian education.
· That he dearly loved my grandmother.
· That he was very proud of and loved my dad, my Uncle John, and Uncle Dicky.
· My daughters.
· His family.
· And that he loved me.
So many of my childhood memories are intertwined with my grandfather. I can still remember seeing his gold van pull into the driveway and how excited I would be running to hug his neck. He invested in my life and is worthy of my admiration and applause.
When I remember him with love…I will always look back, smile, and say to myself...
“Now, That’s Great America.”
