MEMORIES OF MY POPPY

  When I was growing up, Poppy and Aunt Jessie lived right behind us. Poppy was a strong tall man with an almost tough guy image. He was always busy doing something and taking care of his family. Poppy didn’t have much to do with the church; this frustrated my aunt very much….

  Visits were always exciting with Poppy and Aunt Jessie. I think they loved to lavish on us. We always enjoyed our cookies and milk.

  Now Poppy would like to have a drink here and there. Aunt Jessie would get very upset by this. He had a special little place just outside the bathroom where he would store his stash.  I can fondly remember when visiting and sitting around the table Poppy would motion with his finger for you to come. He would take you to his “little room” and pour you a “shot glass of cream soda”. Now I know that to kids these days this would not mean a lot, but it did then, it was special! We would emerge with happy faces carrying our “Little shot glass”.

  What I remember best about Poppy was when something needed to be fixed we would always run to him, whether it was the lawn mower or our bicycles.  I think my brothers were there every day of the summer to get their bikes fixed. He would always have time for that one more task. Poppy reminds me of my heavenly Father. When life gives us broken pieces we can run to HIM and he always has time for that one more task. And when we take time for those little visits we too will emerge with our “shot glasses” filled with HIS love.

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” Psalm 107:28 (NIV)