My family is pretty small...unless you want to delve into the world of second, third, and fourth cousins (and so on). My brother and I are the only grandkids on my mom's side, so because of that, and because we lived so close to them, I was always particularly close with my Memaw and Paw. I loved going to their house and spending the night as a kid, staying weekends with them by myself over the summer, going "camping" in their motor home, visiting them in Arizona every winter, riding on the combine in the fall, and having them come visit us at our house. They were a constant presence in my childhood, they showed up to every grandparents day in elementary school, every play I was in during high school, and I'd often find them sitting next to me in the bleachers of one of my brother's football games or wrestling meets.
Because we were so close, losing Paw was one of the hardest and saddest things to happen to me thus far. Even though it's been nearly two years and we've all moved forward, that hole is still there and it is in no way, shape, or form filled. He taught me so much growing up, so I thought that I'd collect a few of those things here, in tribute.
1. Family comes first.
Paw was always there when we needed him. He set up my swingset for me at one house and then moved it to two others. He hung pictures and curtains for me in the fourth house. He and Memaw flew back to Indiana for Christmas multiple times. If someone needed something, he was always there and he was always willing to help. I hope to be that person someday.
2. The best things come from hard work.
Working on and owning a farm is no easy job, but Paw did it anyway. For decades, even after he had retired and moved into town and wintered in Arizona. Because of all the work he put in, he was able to build his family a new house, retire, have a second home in Arizona, and spoil his grandkids more than we deserved. He worked hard for what he had and was able to reap some of those rewards, and I only hope that I can do the same.
3. Watching golf leads to the greatest nap.
Paw loved to golf but watching it put him right to sleep. (Can you blame him?) If you dared to change the channel, however, he'd grump at you and say he was watching it. He wasn't, of course, but nothing put him to sleep faster than a tournament on TV. It's so calm and quiet, I found it easy to fall asleep to as well. Sometimes, I'll pull up some old tournaments on YouTube to help me sleep.
4. Westerns are awesome.
Anyone that knew me around the time I was 16 knows that I had (and still kind of have) an unhealthy obsession with Bonanza, a show that's about as old as my dad. (Sorry to age you, pops.) Some of my favorite memories of Paw were the two of us watching Bonanza on the Encore Westerns Channel at 7:05pm. While he didn't introduce me to the show, I've always loved that we've had westerns in common, despite the large generational gap.
5. How to drive.
Eight-year-old Maia learned to drive thanks to a John Deere Gator, semi-country roads in the middle of small town northern Indiana, and a patient grandpa. Sure, my parents taught me how to transition from farm equipment to a car and all about parallel parking...but knowing the basics sure made it easier on them, and me.
6. Friends are essential.
My dad might disagree with this one...but I'm afraid I've got to side with my grandpa on this. Paw always had friends. He loved afternoon tea at the Oak Grove, playing cards, going golfing, and even just going out to dinner. A lot of those friends were a part of his life for decades or more. Seeing my grandparents have those relationships with people who cared about the rest of my family as well gave me an example of what to shoot for in my own life.
7. Life is more fun when you play cards.
Paw taught me how to play golf and euchre. He was always down for a game of Uno in Arizona. He always told me that I'd end up playing cards in college and I would roll my eyes...but he was right, as usual. Without all the practice rounds growing up, I wouldn't be as great at golf as I am today. (I'm not very good, but still.)
8. Living in the city doesn't change your roots.
The closest to the country that I've lived is the suburbs...and that's not even close, let me tell you. But anytime I went to visit Paw and Memaw, I always felt like I was home. I didn't grow up on a farm, I couldn't even really tell you what all that entails. But what I can tell you is some of that life still runs through my veins because it was my mom's home, my dad's home, and my grandparents' home.
I wouldn't be who I am today without my Paw. He was one of the best men I knew. I am grateful for the 17 years I had with him but not a day goes by that I don't wish I could've had 17 more.
