Mandy

There are few things in life quite like a grandfather. Even the name itself evokes familiar images of a little girl sitting in an old man's lap... listening to stories and laughing into the evening. Of a little boy learning to fix the engine of a car. Of a teenager sitting under a Christmas tree, yelping with joy as the exact thing that she'd exactly wanted at that exact moment in time is revealed under that wrapping paper.

Mine is no different. James Nalls, more commonly known as Papaw, is one of those exceptionally great grandfathers... the kind that everyone admires and wishes was theirs. The kind that makes you excited to have Grandparents day at school, at the chance that you might be able to show him off. The kind that tells you stories about years of hard work, and takes you on your very first trip to Disney World... the one that convinced you forever that you were meant to be a Disney Princess.

On Friday, my family and I celebrated the life of an exceptional man.

Honestly, I find myself lacking words, which, as we all know, is pretty uncommon. Tears fill my eyes when I let my mind drift back to childhood with a Papaw...

Listening to Gaither Vocal Band blaring from the television in his house in Tyler... getting those first tastes of applauding crowds and belting tenors... the words of hymns drifting amidst the tornado of energy that is our family.

His low, defined voice booming throughout the house... the kind of voice that lets you know that its' owner is a man who knows what he wants.

The smell of his house when you first burst through the door... so familiar and reassuring... like you were home.

Regaling him with tales of playing volleyball and basketball, and his delight when I had an exceptionally good game. Along with that, listening to tales of his scoring 30+ points in basketball games when HE was in high school. Contrary to my belief at the time, those tales were, in fact, true.

Afternoons of learning how to tell if vegetables were ready to be picked... of watering his plants to make a ridiculous $20 for five minutes of work.

Of splashing in a swimming pool in the summertime without a care in the world.

His paying for my braces so that I'd have "good teeth," and asking me about each visit to the Orthodontist when I came to his house.

Days of playing dress-up at his and Mamaw's house... and the inevitable declaration of admiration that he'd give, though the dresses were five sizes too big and he'd seen them on me ten visits in a row.

Those last few years when he'd ask me if there were any boys in my life, and tell me how lucky some man would be to have me one day.

I'm a lucky girl, to have had a Papaw.

I loved his stories, especially when they concerned ME. Many were the visits when I asked him to tell me, again, about working in Alaska, cleaning up the Exxon oil spill, when I was born. Of his declaration, along with my other grandfather, of a new little red-headed grandbaby that he called "Mandy" (he's the only one that ever has, I might add).

I loved his goofy songs where he mixed up the words and bragged about his superior vocal skills. I loved that he always had the most interesting things to play with, and that he was never too busy to let me sit beside him.

And I loved the things that he taught me.... Papaw was a great teacher (even when I didn't necessarily want to learn).

He taught me how to PROPERLY water those aforementioned plants, so they didn't dry out in those hot East Texas summers. He taught me how to clean off the table, and that mustard won't come out of leather chairs. He taught me to chew with my mouth closed, and which kind of jelly tasted best on a biscuit. He taught me about how to work hard, and be fully committed to everything that you do.

But mostly, I'm thankful that my Papaw taught me how to love. He taught it by example. By loving my Mamaw, who he reffered to as "Puddin'" for almost 51 years... by loving my mama and two aunts with a passion superior to much of what I've seen.... and by loving me. He showed me that love doesn't make you weak, but stronger. That the greatest strength comes from giving of yourself... all of yourself... to a legacy that's worth remembering.

So to the company man, the family man, the hardest man to please, and the most tender heart I've ever known... I love you Papaw. Now and always. Thank you for making me into the woman that I am today... I can only pray that God blesses me with someone who is half the man that you were.

I love you,

Mandy