I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN....

24 years ago today.... God called one of the best ever "Pa-Pa's" home to be with him in heaven. 

Everyone that knows me well... knows how much i talk about and how much I love my Me-Ma... well not everyone knew the "Pa-Pa" that was Me-Ma's other half.  He was the most amazing man.... the best family man... a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a grandpa,  a great grandpa, a friend, a man who could weld, who could swing a hammer, a mechanic, just a jack of all trades,  a solider in the US army during WWII,  an employee, a farmer,a camper, a great hunter, the best fisherman, and a christian who loved the Lord with all his heart and soul..... He was a man of his word, when a handshake sealed a deal.

I love to hear stories about the farm, milking cows, out-houses, tractors, turning the porch light on when my mom was coming home from a date, letting Uncle Kenneth and Uncle Gary drive the family car, teaching them to hunt and fish..... all the camping trips to Kennedy Meadows,(one of my favoirte places to camp, knowing how much he enjoyed it there.)

My Pa-Pa... Stanly Bryant... my only grandpa... who's ever life he came in to was blessed.  He not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk....  Pa-pa was the best at everything he did... especially being a grandpa!  He knew how to bounce us on his knee, how to kiss us and kiss us, the nickname he had for most of us was "doodle-bug"... he taught each of us how to play yatzee, how to camp, and how to mix butter with honey and just eat it by the spoonfuls..(good thing they hadnt come out with dont feed babies under 1 year olds honey) he also taught us how good crumbled up cornbread covered with buttermilk is...

Pa-Pa was a "great Pa-Pa" also... He loved em all!  The horse on springs was a a gift for michael... he loved to get on the floor with them... we hardly ever saw Pa-Pa without a toothpick in his mouth, (or a pipe... oh how i loved to smell his lighter, a butane lighter, id sneak it whenever i could!) he felt really bad when he went to kiss us and he's accidently poke us with his tooth pick! 

I think he was best at loving on all of us...

There are 2 songs that stick with me and when i hear them.... its definetly all about my Pa-pa....

DADDY'S HANDS..

I remeber Daddy's hands, folded silently in prayer.

and reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.

you could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.

Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.

I remember Daddy's hands, how they held my ma-ma tight,

and patted my back, for something done right.

There are things tht I've forgotten, that I loved about the man,

But I'll always remeber the love in Daddy's hands.

Daddy's hand were soft and kind when I was cryin'

Daddy's hands, were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.

Daddy's hands, weren't always gentle

but i've come to understand.

There was always love in Daddy's hands.

THERE ALWAYS LOVE IN HIS HANDS.....

As one of his granddaughters... the song "GRANDPA" by the Judds is another song that stuck with me.... Grandpa tell me about the good ole days....

He could and would tell us about the simple things, about how families stayed and prayed together...

Today, (24 years ago) my Pa-Pa went to spend his life with the Good Lord...Yet  one of his son's Gary, his birthday is today.... and today his daughter Lisa (my cousin) posted the following words about her daddy.... "Happy Birthday to the best man I've ever known... my father doesnt yell, cuss, drink, do drugs... he would never cheat, abuse, or be irresponsible.  He is a man of quiet dignity, steady, true... puts his family first and leads with his heart.  He deserves to be honored... "    I just find this absolutely amazing.... Son like father... and father like son......My Pa-pa was all of the above.. and more... He was the best of the best!!

As i close... 2 of the sayings i hear Pa-Pa say  over and over are " Well, Well,Well" and "well, you

DUMMY"

Dear pa-pa..... you are a legacy... a true man who would be so proud... and i know you are looking down on all of us, smiling,winking at us, blowing us your kisses, and i know you have been taking care of Jeff.... your first grandson... the one that started "Pa-Pa" because he couldnt say grandpa! 

It's not good-bye.... it's till we meet again....

Matthew 4;19.... "COME FOLLOW ME", Jesus said " AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN".

and because of HIS AMAZING GRACE.....

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