After sharing my grandmother’s story in the last post, it seems fitting to now share my grandfather’s testimony. As stated last time, I am becoming increasingly aware of the need to share the stories God has given each of us. These stories may testify to the faithfulness of God to those who love and obey Him, or they may tragically tell of the utter ruin and hopelessness of those who lived lives in their own way. I am incredibly thankful for this strong example I was blessed to have. PawPaw went home this past June- one day before my birthday. Here are my memories of him…
1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” This was our PawPaw.
PawPaw was a man of humble beginnings, growing up in the woods of Holly Grove, where he milked cows, dug up potatoes, and simply learned how to work hard. He conveyed on more than one occasion how grateful he was for modern conveniences. After being drafted into the Navy, he left his large family to embark on new adventures, which held their own hardships and lessons. The months of sea-sickness he endured made him equally grateful to have the opportunity to live on land. PawPaw once spoke of how he had no idea what he would do upon his release from the navy and how it had to be the hand of the Lord directing him to the railroad. He had worked in communications on the ship, using Morse code. He applied for the railroad, who stated their need for someone knowledgeable in this area. PawPaw laughed as he told how vastly different communications were in the field of the military and that of the railroad system. “Had the railroad known that, they probably wouldn’t have hired me,” he said. This job led him to Nome and to the introduction to his wife, Pattie.
It is tempting to believe that PawPaw gained his wisdom and understanding from these experiences alone. The truth is, however, that he had a real fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” This reverence for God and relationship with Him was the vine from which many other fruits grew. One of these fruits was humility. PawPaw was known for putting others’ needs before his own. He was a ready giver, but unless you were one of the recipients, you knew little of the amount of his generosity. He never spoke of his accomplishments or good deeds. In fact, he wasn’t given to grand amounts of words at all. One of the things that made him so incredibly funny was this trait. Suddenly he would just say something absolutely hilarious, but so quietly and seriously, that you would completely miss it if you weren’t paying attention. And it wouldn’t be repeated so you better be listening!
His humility allowed him to invest much time in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I am told that as Uncle Dan, my dad, and Aunt Sandy were growing up, he was the one who often changed diapers, rocked to sleep, and tended to bumps and scrapes. He just seemed to have an extra measure of caretaking. Even in these last most trying days he would look into his great grandchildren’s eyes, put his arm around them, and listen intently to whatever they wanted to communicate. My kids told me one day not too long ago that they each thought they were his favorite for a long time until somehow the truth came out as they were talking and comparing notes. Apparently, PawPaw would whisper to each one as he hugged them that they were his favorite but not to tell the others! I am certain he loved each of his great grandchildren equally, and he spoke often (with a grin on his face) of their recent adventures of which he had heard or seen. Children seemed to be drawn to him. At each stage of my life I can remember one or two neighborhood kids throwing open the door and announcing, “Hey, Mr. Leonard!” They knew there was no need to knock, and they would always be received warmly. My grandfather would ask them how they were and then listen to each tale told. Some of those boys have since moved away and have families of their own, but have returned to see how he was doing.
PawPaw’s concern for others showed up in many ways. He was a loyal friend to his former railway partners and to many in the church. Just last week, he called each of his railroad friends to check on them and make sure they were still doing well. When someone in the family faced an illness, injury, or big decision, he actually seemed to take on some of the burden. It would show in his face and in his speech. I have no doubt that he was quietly praying about these matters for us. When my dad had his accident in 1976 and was in the emergency room, PawPaw conveyed to the medical staff that he wished it was him lying on the table instead. Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dan said they remember walking into the living room after the incident and seeing the hurt in PawPaw’s eyes. When MawMaw began to face certain ailments as she aged, it was PawPaw who tended to her. Even when he began to have a difficult time getting around, he would continue doing his best to wait on her. He could often be heard asking from his recliner, “Patty, you ok? You need anything?” “Patty, have you eaten your lunch yet?”
PawPaw was also steady. This is a trait that is often overlooked, because it may make one seem dull or uneventful. But there was a great comfort to his steadiness and predictability for our family. We always knew where he would be and that he would be present when needed. If it was a Sunday morning, Sunday evening, or Wednesday evening, he would be sitting in his pew either waiting for MawMaw as she played the piano or already beside her as she had finished. If it was Tuesday morning, he would be having breakfast with his friends at the Food Court in Beaumont. If it was any other day he may be found gardening, mowing, cooking, or sitting in his swing outside. On those days he went out with MawMaw on an errand, you knew he would be home before it grew too late in the day. This reassurance of his presence and protection is possibly best described by a story frequently told in our family. When my Uncle Dan was little and nighttime would fall, he would say, “Daddy, just put your hand on me.” PawPaw would reach his hand through the crib bars and lay his hand on Uncle Dan’s back until he fell asleep.
This steadiness was not just visible in his presence but in his behavior as well. If he could be rattled, I assure you I never saw it. He was not easily angered, did not speak ill of others if wronged, and generally only showed disappointment if absolutely necessary. He gave great advice but rarely voiced his opinion unless asked. Lessons were taught indirectly rather than directly. A poem he taught to us grandchildren growing up went something like this:
“Who can see the wind?
Neither you nor I;
But when the trees bow down their heads,
We know the wind is passing by.”
I truly had no idea how that simple poem would bring meaning later in life as I thought about my Heavenly Father. We cannot see him, but we see the evidence of Him all around. We see His answers to prayers and hear His voice when we bow to Him, are in His Word and paying attention.
I could tell of many other facets we admired in PawPaw, yet time forbids. When trying to convey all he was, I am reminded of the large oak trees in his yard under which we now take shade. These oak trees were planted by PawPaw at least 50 years ago. Planting an oak tree may seem daunting at the time and to some may not be worth the work or expense. After all, one cannot enjoy the benefits of it until many years down the road. However, PawPaw had the foresight to understand that his choices would be worth the effort and hard work for generations to come. He was a gardener- a tender and keeper of his family. I do not mean to portray that he was perfect. I’m sure there were moments when he wished he had invested a little more time and energy into preparing the soil or watered a bit more at certain stages. Or he may have even forgotten to turn off the hose once or twice. Yet, he never gave up or overly concerned himself with the results. He trusted the Lord for the harvest.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1