Dear Pops

Dear Pops,
We said goodbye to you on Tuesday, but you entered Heaven's Gates on Sunday morning.  I imagine you were in your Sunday best: a suit and tie, as usual.

Family, friends and previous co-workers came out of the woodwork to honor your legacy and the great father, grandfather, uncle, friend, boss and so much more that you were.  Dad very much wanted to honor your legacy, and he and mom worked together to achieve that.  It was a sweet, sweet time. 

Adam met you just once, but for that time, I am so grateful.  The last time we saw you was at our wedding, when you smiled the entire time.  That weekend, we ate Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream together (your favorite), held hands on the couch, and I showed you photos of our house we'd soon be moving into.  The yard was a mess, but you laughed and encouraged us that we could make it pretty.  And we've greatly improved upon what we were given, but it's nothing compared to your beautiful box woods and glorious garden.  I love knowing that you were a Master Gardener.  You had a gift of nurturing and making things grow.

I have no doubt in my mind that you loved us.  But if I did, it would be immediately erased when family and friends greeted us while we were in Virginia.  They reminded us over and over again that we were all the apple of your eye.

It has been over ten years since I visited your home of Virginia.  Dad and I both have a tendency to romanticize the past, but seeing it through the fresh eyes of Adam, a first time visitor to the South, I was reminded again of the beauty--lush trees, tobacco plants growing and beautiful countryside.  I can see why you never strayed far from your South Boston, Virginia roots.

From you, we have seen endless amounts of love, generosity and faithful, quiet service.  Friends of over 50 years spoke at your service of the many times they would find you up at church, willing to do anything.  They also spoke of your twinkle-eyed grin and your competitive nature as you caught fish and may have even double-counted a fish or two!

The Coconut Cream Cake that Dinks was so famous for is the same cake that she served Mom on her first visit to Virginia with Dad.  What Dinks didn't know was that coconut makes Mom gag.  It's been a family joke for 30 years, but I learned that the coconut was freshly shredded by you.  Who knew?  I know Mom cherishes having you as a father-in-law.  You are a true gift. 

On Tuesday, I sang your favorite hymn, Living for Jesus, and it was an honor to do so.  Thank you for showing us how to truly live for Him.  Troy and I sang Amazing Grace together, and I couldn't help but imagine you up in Heaven singing along.  We finished up with a 21 gun salute to honor your World War II service.  It gave me chills then, and gives me chills now thinking about it again.

We love you dearly, sweet Pops.  I am so grateful to share your first name and my Dad's middle name.  It is a joy and an honor to be your granddaughter.

Much Love,
Shay Meredith

Adam's First Triathlon Sprint

August 11, Adam completed his first Triathlon Sprint.  We drove up Saturday morning to Degray Lake, just outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

This was Adam's first time to swim in open water, so he got in a good practice swim once we arrived. 

We stayed at our pet-friendly hotel, but without our pet.  We'd decided that it would be best to wait and see what a triathlon was like before we brought Rye along.  Now that we know what to expect, I think he will be just fine!

We set our alarm for 5:20 a.m. Sunday morning, and were up and raring to go!  The race began at 8 a.m., but there was a 30-minute drive ahead of us, plus set up time in the transition area.  Adam got all set up and was ready to start the race off with the swim.

He came out and said, "Man, I should've done the duathlon!"  Swimming may not be his strength, but he's working like crazy to improve.  And hey, he survived, which is winning in my book! 

Next up was the biking portion, which was 16 miles.  And it started UPHILL.

I made a friend with a dog during the swim, and he was there watching his wife, so we moved from post to post.  It was really helpful because I was totally clueless about where to stand and what to watch for, so I learned quite a bit.

Finally, the running portion came, which is where AMP really exceeds.  He finished fourth in his age group, but he started at the back of the pack when he got out of the water.  So he made up great time with the bike and the run.

All in all, Adam finished at 1 hour, 29 minutes and 48 seconds.  He was happy and I was really proud!

 

{That's sweat, not water...just in case you were curious.  Ha.}

Now he's in to this sport like it's his j-o-b.  Did you know that this is a rather expensive sport?  Way more than just buying running shoes!  But he's saving his pennies and searching out good deals for bike shoes and pedals.  He's gotten some great deals, and has searched long and hard for them.  

We also need to give a shout out to Coach Molly, who coached swim team and taught swim lessons to adults, for helping Adam improve his swimming.  We meet up at our gym where we all are members, and she gives AMP pointers, and she and I talk.  It's a win-win in my book!  

All that to say, it's been a great adventure on this triathlon journey so far.  I'm so proud of you, AMP!  Here's to working towards your Half Iron Man Triathlon!

A Cute Papa and Other News

Papa and I were able to grab a last-minute lunch together last week at the Local Diner.  I took this shot of him while he wasn't looking.  Surprise, Papa!  (He reads the blog.  It makes my day, especially when he calls to talk about it.)

We have so much fun together, and I'm so blessed to have him nearby.  Have I mentioned that he's 80?  And just as spry as ever.  {Also...this may be one of my favorite photos I've taken, ever.}

We talked about many things under the sun, but one conversation has stuck with me this past week.  There was a Studebaker sign on the wall, which started him reminiscing about the car he bought for Nanny when they moved back to Lubbock.  This prompted an entire discussion on kids, and the fact that there were no seatbelts in the 50s--Nanny, Mom and Laura just all rode in the front seat together (a bench seat, at that).  There were also no car seats.  Yes, no car seats.  Can you imagine trying to drive tp the grocery store with a baby in the car, just laying there?  I sure can't.  What if she rolled off?  What happens when they are mobile?!  Yikes. 

And somehow it turned to baby diapers.  Yes, really.  I'd never really thought about this, but something made me ask.  Apparently they used a cloth diaper service while in Tampa, Florida, which means that someone was paid to come pick up a bag of dirty diapers (talk about world's dirtiest jobs), and then disposable diapers when they moved to Lubbock.  Papa was surprised to learn that cloth diapers were coming back "in style," if you will. 

It was a fun time together, and we both enjoyed it. 

And in other news this week, Adam got his first request for a PA school interview!  It's about seven weeks out.  He just finished the applications at the end of June.  Apparently July flew by (probably because we had July 4th and a Guatemala trip in there!), and here we are sitting in August.  With an interview.  It's all very exciting! 

Four of the eight schools he applied to have rolling admissions, so we could know something in September or October, as far as more interviews, and a few more are later in the year.   We're praying we have enough notice to get a decent price on a flight, or they have tickets on miles still available at a reasonable price.  We shall see. 

My philosophy is to celebrate everything, so that's exactly what we did last night with a pumpkin bread muffin!  Complete with a candle.  Even Rye got a taste.  (That's becoming a bad habit.  Oops.)

Happy Friday, y'all!