Happy heavenly birthday, Daddy!

Today, I celebrate this guy. This time of year is bittersweet for me. My birthday was just a few days ago which for most people is a highlight of their year. And for years it was because I always celebrated it with my Daddy and Uncle Buck. But 13 years ago, that all changed. Daddy passed away on April 3rd and was buried on April 6th. To be honest, I’ve struggled…a lot. You see, I was and always will be a “Daddy’s girl”. Oh, how I wish Daddy were here today so I could get his thoughts on our current situation. Not a man of many words and a true gentle giant of a man, I can hear him telling me not to worry and have faith of a mustard seed. He would probably go about his daily life as if nothing was going on around him. Plowing the garden with his mules, going to bed with the chickens, but having his cornbread and milk before retiring for the night. To be honest, quite often I stifle the selfishness that rises up when I miss him and wish he were still here. But the reality is, he had slowed down a lot those last few years and wasn’t able to do the things he enjoyed. I was there with him in the hospital when he drew his last breath. He had been improving and was expected to go home the next day, so my brothers decided to let me stay with him. We talked a lot about various things, and he explained how he was tired. Looking back, I think he was preparing me for what was to come just a few hours later. The nurses came in that morning to test his sugar level before breakfast. One minute he was talking to me and as I held his hand, the next thing I knew he was gone. I’m thankful I was there and I’m grateful my children really knew him. One of the biggest lessons we all learned from him was to appreciate the little things. Big Henry didn’t need a pandemic to remind him. He loved watching Wheel of Fortune, time with his family and friends, sippin’ on a senior Diet Coke at McDonald’s, and singing old church hymns. Tonight, I’ll have steak in an iron skillet and some Blue Bell Butter Pecan Ice Cream in his memory. Ride tall, cowboy…we love you always and I am trying my best to carry on your legacy!