I thought it would be a good introductory post to talk a little about the people who have had the greatest impact on me throughout my life. Let's break it down by generations.
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| Granny Pat and BG |
These two people are a large piece of my life. BG was my grandfather on my Dad's side. His real name was G.W. but when my older brother Josh tried to say GW when he was younger, "BG" came out and it stuck. BG had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for a very long time. He was a scientist who worked on the Air Force's nuclear weapon program during Korea. As long back I can remember, BG was in an electric wheelchair with no ability to use his legs, and little ability to use his arms. His body was weak, but his mind was the opposite. Not once did I ever hear him complain about his situation. Always full of jokes, he always deflected the "how are you doing" question right back to you. He worried about everything and cared about everyone. BG passed away in 2006. It's the hardest loss I have ever suffered. Even in this post, I have trouble typing in past tense when talking about him. When I think of which trait I admired most, it would have to be his lack of self-pity.
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| Granny Pat at Christmas in 2009 |
BG's wife, Granny Pat, is that typical grandmother, x10. She always tried to keep my Dad from spanking us, she is known for giving socks and underwear to us for Christmas and she is the ultimate caregiver. For decades she was by BG's side. Caring for him, nurturing him. BG wanted to be as independent as possible. He hated asking for help, but he needed it and Granny Pat was always there to give it to him. When her older son, my Uncle Jimmy, was bed sick with colon cancer, she didn't bat an eye. She quit her job and spent everyday tending to both of them. Last fall she was diagnosed with lymphoma. The cancer had spread drastically, and it was concentrated in her femur, which was so thin that it could have shattered from her walking. She was in very bad shape, and her chances were not good. But, here she is. Almost a year later and in remission at 80 years old. Because of her persistence and faith I would say that the trait I admire most about her is that she's a fighter. It's hard to pick one trait. She's caring, patient, loving... the list goes on forever. But she's got a lot of fight in her.
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| Granny is furthest on the left. Papaw is in the back at the center |
My Granny and Papaw are my grandparents on my Mom's side. Granny and Papaw married young, very young. Both grew up poor and picking cotton. Papaw's education stopped well before high school. Five daughters and countless grand and great grand kids later, they are still together. Still sharing their faith and wisdom with everyone they can. While all my grandparents were devout Christians, and lived the life, I have always seen Granny as one of the most religious people I know. I can remember being amazed when she would curse a spider in the name of Jesus, rebuke it and then swat it barehanded. Those stories would always expand in my mind as my cousins and myself would look back and joke about it. But, she has always put her religion at the forefront of her decisions, and she has always been a good teacher to us.
Papaw had little education, but understood the basics of running a good business. Hard work, customer service and integrity are what made him successful as the owner of a full-service gas station that was on the corner of Broadway and 2nd Street in Edmond. I remember working there as a kid. Cleaning customer's windshields, mopping and filling up tires. It was the very first lesson in working hard I can remember receiving. He ran that station for around 35 years. I am always proud when people talk about that station. I have overheard it in restaurants and various other places. The residents of Edmond knew him as an honest, hard working man. He worked in an industry that is known for deceitful practices by so many. However, he was one of the few that provided good service with integrity.
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| My Dad |
I think my friends were always intimidated by my Dad when they first met him. I can remember taking my friends to OCS football games. They would see my Dad on the sidelines coaching, yelling in players faces. One time i had a friend over and my Dad was tightening a battery terminal in my truck and he tightened it so much that the screw tore in half. He tries to act tough, but he's a teddy bear. My Dad is what a Dad should be. He's always there for us. He provides for his family, no matter how hard he has to work. Even though all of his kids are out of high school, he is always asking if we need money, or do we have gas. He's always looking out for us. He taught me how to treat girls, and how the movie Junior wasn't possible. That was the segue to teaching me about the "birds and the bees." Plus, he has taken
Caitlynne in as one of his own. She has become the daughter he never had. He has made her feel that she is just as much his daughter as I am his son.
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| Mom on the left, Josh and Madison, Gordon on the right |
And then there's my Mom. Couldn't pull one by her. She was on my game in high school. I couldn't get away with much (except skipping class to go see the last Matrix movie - not worth it). But she's always been supportive and patient with my siblings and myself. Patience is actually the word I think of when I think of her. My youngest sibling, Madison, is 15 years old and has down syndrome. Madison is the sweetest little girl in the world, but for anyone who knows about down syndrome, it's not easy to raise a child with it. I know it's hard for her, but my Mom is always positive and never gives up. She works with Madison daily to help her develop. I can see how hard it is for her, but she never complains. She loves Madison as much as she loves her other two kids. Not all parents could do it. She's a testament to the unconditional love that a parent has for their kids.
She's always been supportive. Whatever college I wanted to go to, whatever major I decided I wanted to do. She never said anything but "I can see you doing that" and "go for it." She always supported my brother Josh and I when it came to my Dad. They got divorced when I was young. She always was supportive about us seeing him , and him having a big part in our lives. My Mom and Dad put aside their differences and got along so that we could have them both in our lives. I have never heard one negative thing come out of either of their mouths about each other. That has had a tremendous affect on my life.
It's always interesting to see how people become who they are. It's very simple to see. You just look at the people who were apart of their lives when they were growing up. I was pretty lucky.
