A Letter to My Children

Dear Stafford & Reed,

You are the lucky ones.  Or as your Daddy would say, blessed.  Even though you don't remember it, I will.  I'll remember what it looked like to see your sweet Great-Grandfather smile when he held you.  I'll remember how proud he was that you Stafford were named for him.  I'll remember it for you.

I'll remember how he used to take me horseback riding.  I always rode Dusty.  And how he paid for me to have horseback riding lessons.  I'm sure my love of horses comes from him.

I'll remember how he took me fishing.  How to bait my own hook.  How to just sit back and enjoy the day.  I'm sure my love of fishing comes from him.

I'll remember that first UK basketball game I went to.  Megan and I sat on the 7th row.  They played Morehead State.  I thought my Grandaddy was super special because he was an usher.  And he was.  I'm sure my love of UK baseketball came from him.

I'll remember that his favorite president was Truman.  How much he respected him for having to courage to end WWII.  How emotional he would get when we recounted his time in the service.  I'm sure I got my love of history from him.

I'll remember riding on the back of his lawmower to the park.  And sitting on his knee of the way back. How he always had a pack of cigarettes and a comb in his pocket.  I'm sure that's why I love taking you boys to the park.

I'll remember how fiercely he loved his country.  How he insisted on buying anything and everything that was made in America.  I'm sure I love my country even more because of him.

I'll remember how he took us to Baskin Robbins for a treat.  He always ordered Pralines & Cream.  For as long as I can remember that's what I've ordered when I go.  I'm sure I get my love for ice cream from him.

I'll remember how he and Namaw took us to the fair every year.  I remember riding the rides and having so much fun walking around with them.  I thought of them the whole time we took you boys this year.  I'm sure I get my love for fairs from him.

I remember how much he loved to travel.  I was in awe that he had been to all 50 states, many of them twice.  He could name all the counties in KY and knew almost every road.  He had a fantastic memory for the details.  He thought KY was the greatest place on earth.  I'm sure that's why I love to travel but am always happy to finally be at home.

I remember how much he served others.  How he always brought Namaw fresh flowers.  How we went out every Thanksgiving to Walmart after our meal and bought hundreds of dollars of groceries to donate to the food pantry.  I'm sure I got a desire to serve others from him.

I remember how much joy his family brought him.  How seeing us and then one day his great-grandchildren would light up a room.  I remember how he would play with us and how important we were too him.  I remember how he always would ask him when I was moving home.  I remember him letting me take his comb and comb his hair when I was little.  How he gave me a sack of carrots and potatoes one Christmas as a joke.  I remember that he always had a box of Cheese-Its in the back seat and a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit in the front.  I remember his stories of growing up during the Great Depression.  I remember driving up one Christmas and seeing a new car with a big red bow in their drive way that was for me.  I remember eating Christmas meals at their house.  He always loved that country ham.  I remember the paper fight we would have each year at Christmas.  His eyes would sparkle and no matter how old or fragile he was you could see the life there.

I remember that he never, ever complained.

Yes my sweet little boys.  I will remember all of this for you.  And some day I will show you the pictures of your sweet Great-Grandaddy.  My Grandaddy.  He was an amazing man.  You may never know him but they lessons he taught, the way he loved and the things that were important to him I'll pass on to you.

You are blessed my children to be a part of this legacy.

I love you,

Mama

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