(The song you hear him singing was written
by his wife's sister)
I have wanted to dedicate a page to my Great-Grandfather since he died, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do it until now. I loved my Papaw very much and it has been hard to put into words what I felt about this man. I know that I will never be satisfied with this page, I will never feel that it does him justice. But I wanted to acknowledge him in some way. I want others to know what a lasting impact he had on all those around him. My Papaw Cal was my favorite person in the whole world. He was, without a doubt, the nicest person I have ever met. He loved people and they loved him, especially children. He had a way of entertaining you and making you feel right at home. He was ALWAYS cheerful and never complained. He always had a smile on his face. He was intelligent and thoughtful and genuinely sincere. And he was the most honest person you'd ever meet in your life.
He was a simple man. He was content with the simple pleasures in life. He had an optimistic attitude and an uplifting outlook on life. I have always enjoyed spending time with Papaw even when I was just a little girl. He was so funny and sweet. He used to make us laugh with his silly little quips and songs. One of my favorite thing he used to say sometimes was, "Yep, I've been through college... In the front door and out the back!" Even though, in reality, he only finished the 2nd grade. Or when my dad was a boy he would ask, "What fer papaw?" (you have to imagine the southern accent here...) and my papaw would reply, "Cat fur, to make little kitten britches!" He was just full of little silly sayings like these which always brought a chuckle.
He used to whittle with his pocket knife and make small toys for us out of cedar wood. And he loved nature. He taught my sister and I about plants and gardening and how to make due with the things you have. He was also a great inventor. If he had a need for something to make a task easier, he would just invent a gadget. He had all sorts of ingenious little tools. When my Great Grandmother, Roxie, got arthritis so bad she couldn't button her clothes anymore, he made her a button puller. (a stick with a diamond shaped piece of wire inserted into one end. She could guide it through the button hole and loop the wire around the button and pull it back through.) Another amusing invention I remember was his chicken catcher. It was a long sort of shepherd's hook looking wire that he could catch chickens with so they wouldn't flog him. He was a country boy through and through. He grew up on a farm where they had to grow their own food, and can their own fruits and vegetables. He was a good cook too, I always loved his home cooked meals. His biscuits and cornbread were some of the best I've ever eaten.
My Mamaw died long before Papaw did and he lived alone for many years. He was pretty lonely from time to time I imagine, but he had lots of friends and family who loved to visit him regularly. He was always so excited to see visitors. His obvious gratitude always made my heart glow. You know, some elderly people beg and plead and whine about how nobody ever visits, and visiting them can seem like a chore. Maybe you feel like the only reason you visit them is because they are your relative and it's your duty to go see them, an obligation you have to fulfill. I never felt that way about my Papaw. Visiting with him was always refreshing. Each time, I left there wishing I had more time to spend with him. And he never complained, or tried to make me feel guilty when I had to go. He was always grateful for even the smallest amount of time I could spare. Even though he was old and alone, he never asked for anything. He was content just to be loved. He seemed grateful for the smallest of things.
My papaw also loved music. He played the banjo very well and taught my Daddy how to play when he was a boy. My Papaw and his brother, Homer, even made a record once. That is one of my most prized possessions. I could have sat for hours listening as he played. The music always moved me, I felt connected to it, like it was a thread that wove our generations together and kept the memories of past relatives alive.
My Papaw was such a joy to know. I cherish the time I was able to spend with him. My visits with him are some of the best times I've known. I miss his porch swing and our long talks. He has taught me so many lesson about life. Like being humble and how to treat people in this world, and how to be responsible and dependable, and hard working. Papaw instilled values like honor and decency in his children that carried down through the generations. My daddy spent a lot of time with Papaw growing up and is very much like him. My sister and I are so proud that his ways carried over into us.
I really miss my Papaw and I hope he's watching down over me and knows how much I love him. He is sorely missed...
