Growing up everyone had a hero. Little girls loved the idea of princes saving their princesses. and little boys dreamed of being that superhero that saved the world. We have all these fairy tales read to us at such a young age we don't really realize that those are only going to be our temporary heroes. I loved the idea of a knight in shining armor, but I'm so grateful to say that my hero has always been my Pawpaw.

A hero is someone that you look up to because of their noble qualities and let me tell you...my pawpaw has them all. Pawpaw is a man that continuously proves himself; always putting his whole heart into everything he does, never half-way attempting anything. He loves wholly, listens truly, and lives faithfully. I don't think there is a man out there greater than my Pawpaw.

Pawpaw loves wholly. He loves with his entire heart, unconditionally and without restraint. I remember before my grandma passed away, at our family gatherings, looking at her and my Pawpaw and automatically seeing how true their love was. Even if she wore him out, because trust me...she did, my Pawpaw still looked at her like she hung the moon herself. Even after her passing, my Pawpaw still talks about her like he's in love with her because he is. My Pawpaw never hides his passion in anything he does; if he loves something he loves it with his whole heart. My Pawpaw taught me that the world is too cold to not love with all you have. He taught me how to love like Jesus does.

Pawpaw listens truly. He is always attentive to everything said to him. I can't even think of how many times I've come up to him with a story that I think won't interest him and ended up having a long conversation about it. My Pawpaw is wise. He doesn't just listen, he listens and let's you learn from your own story. I remember one Christmas in high school I was pretty upset over some stupid thing and I was buried in my phone trying to settle some conflicts. My Pawpaw sat down next to me on the floor and he told me a story (he has the best stories) about how he met a young girl serving him at a diner one night and she reminded him of me and they ended up talking the whole time my Pawpaw ate there. After his story he looked at me and said, "I may be old, but I've been around the block enough times to tell you that I've probably been sad for the same reasons. If you ever want to talk to me you know that I'll always listen." This will be a day I will remember for my whole life. My Pawpaw taught me that nothing is ever too silly to listen to. He taught me that through listening, your mind will grow and learn.

Pawpaw lives faithfully. Whether it was to his wife, to his family, or to God, Pawpaw lives a faithful life. Pawpaw does everything in his life based off if it will uplift his family and if it will glorify God. Everything my Pawpaw does, he does for the glory of God. He was blessed with having a hardworking characteristic, and he uses that to his advantage every day. He gives unselfishly and expects nothing in return. Pawpaw looks at life like its a blessing and he lives it to it's full extent. My Pawpaw taught me that if I live my life in accordance to God, my life will be continuously blessed.

Pawpaw, I have learned so much through just watching you. You may not know it, but I am your biggest fan. Thank you for always showing me a true example of how to live life for Christ, and thank you for always being the brightest part of my life. You are the epitome of a hero and you are my best friend. I love you.