Papaw has been enjoying the wonders of heaven for over a year now, though in that beautiful place, there is no time.  My finite mind cannot quite understand how or where heaven must be, but knowing that Papaw lives on there makes it more real to me.  Rarely does a day pass that I do not think about him.  I know that if there is a way for those in heaven to draw us that way, Papaw would do it for his family members.  My purpose is to make it there someday and see his smile and hear his laugh once again. 

Papaw loved to laugh; everyone who knew him says they miss his laugh.  I can remember him laughing at things we grandkids did and he had lots of laughs with his coworkers at Amonate Coal co.  He would come home and tell stories of the pranks they played on each other.  I can still hear that big belly laugh when I think about him.  I can only imagine how he is chuckling and laughing as he meets and greets all those in Heaven!  I know he is reminiscing and laughing with those he knew on earth, and he is enjoying getting to know those he didn't know on earth.  They are laughing together around the throne!

Papaw was always fixing something, whether an oil furnace or something broken at home.  He  would not hesitate to get out of bed in the middle of the night to repair someone's furnace, nor would Christmas dinner stop him.  "They don't have any heat" he would say, and off he would go. 

Papaw's heart was a heart of gold--giving was his greatest delight. He loved to give his garden produce to anyone who needed or wanted it. He received so much joy from giving--truly he lived the Golden Rule.   He freely gave of his time and energy to those around him; he would have sacrificed it all for his family, and, in many ways, he did. 

Papaw sang all the time; I grew up listening to (and consequently memorizing) the songs that he and Granny sang together.  Singing and listening to music were a major part of Papaw's life.  He loved to take Melissa and I and go to hear his favorite group, The Primitive Quartet.

In my mind, I can still hear Papaw's clear strong voice singing songs such as Blessed Assurance, He Whispers Sweet Peace and The Lights of Home. He is experiencing the joy of seeing the One about whom he sang and his beautiful voice has joined the heavenly choir!

Sometimes when misgivings darken the way and faith's light I cannot see,

I ask my dear Lord to lighten the way; He whispers sweet peace to me.

Chorus

He whispers sweet peace to me! He whispers sweet peace to me! 

When I am cast down in spirit and soul, He whispers sweet peace to me!

Papaw would do anything for his grandchildren.  Just before he died, a memory came back to me as vividly as if I were reliving it.  Sometime in my late teens,  I wanted to bike the circle in Burkes' Garden.  Mom and Dad felt it was too dangerous for me to do alone, so Papaw loaded my bike up and took me over there.  He followed me all the way around the circle as I biked and enjoyed the scenery.

Papaw was never happier than when he was with his grandchildren; his face just lit up when we would come around.  I'm sure he is enjoying getting to know his one grandchild and two great grandchildren who preceded him to heaven. Nothing would make him happier than for all of his children and grandchildren to join him there. How beautiful heaven must be!

Papaw was a great handyman, always making or repairing something for somebody.  I often "helped" him when I was small, learning the difference between a Phillips and a Straight or a gasket and an O-ring.  Papaw once was welding something and I was nearby.  A hot piece of metal broke off and was falling toward me.  He put out his bare arm and stopped it; later, he would often proudly show that scar as he told the story of saving his youngest grand-daughter from getting burned.