It is unfathomable to me that it has been one year since Poppy passed away. I can still hear his booming laugh, see his twinkling eyes and feel his scratchy whiskers as he put his famous "bear claw" on me. I am at a loss for words to describe this giant of a man and so I will defer to the words I spoke at his funeral...
When I was about 4 years old, I helped Poppy plant his garden. He dug the holes and asked me to put one seed in each. We paused at one point and Grandma took a picture of us: him leaning on his hoe, and me looking up at him, waiting for my next job. That is a photo I will always treasure, of my gentle giant of a Poppy lovingly directing me and including me in his world.
Poppy's love for his family was as organic as his love for the earth. He joyfully and lovingly attended to the needs of his family. He sowed unconditional love in each of us. He carefully removed any weeds of bitterness and resentment from his own heart. He fertilized with joy, gratitude, laughter and a heavy sprinkling of his favorite stories. He tended the seedlings with compassion, devotion and his sweet, easy way. He reaped a harvest of abounding love from a family who can't bear to let him go.
My Mom had a beautiful relationship with her Dad. She looked for and found the same qualities she loves so in her father in my Dad. It was those same qualities that I saw modeled in my Poppy and Dad that first drew me to my husband, Benjamin. It's clear to me that these are all gifts from Poppy, the man who modeled all that is good and honorable. For this and for the many gifts Poppy has given, I am thankful. I can see his sweet eyes, wet with emotion telling me how much he loves me and for that I am most grateful.
I love you Poppy.
On this day I will cherish the memories that are never far from my mind. I will look at his picture in Eleanora's room and tell her once again of the amazing man her Poppy was.
