Sad Christmas Memory

In 1996, when I was 7 years old, the Christmas season came a little differently. My family tradition was to travel to Virginia from our North Carolina home and visit with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. On this year, though, my dad's stepfather, who we called "Pappaw" was very sick with cancer, and this would be his last Christmas. The week started like any other, we traveled up early so that we could be in Virginia on Christmas Eve. We spent time with both of my parents' families and then went to my mom's parent's house to spend the night. Christmas Day came and went, it was exciting because I was still a young child and I loved when Santa Clause visited and I got new toys. It was also a very sad day though because Pappaw was not around- he was too sick and was laid up in bed. On the day after Christmas, December 26, 1996, my Pappaw passed away. It was a hard time for the family, but I have peace about it because I know that he went to be with the Lord. Though that was a sad Christmas memory, when I think of it I also like to reminisce on happy thoughts about my Pappaw.

I remember a little thing my Pappaw had that was somewhat of a "stress reliever" I assume. It was one of those little things with the metal piece in the middle and black handles below. My Pappaw used to always sit in his little chair by a little table, and his stress reliever was right beside him. I would always try to squeeze it but was never strong enough, so I'd have to take both hands and push in with all my might to make it budge. Then papaw would pick me up into his lap and put my hands on the reliever, then give an extra squeeze to allow me to get the handles to touch. When Pappaw passed away, I took that stress reliever, to remind me those times spent with him.

Another thing that really sticks out in my mind when I think about Pappaw is paper airplanes. Oh he loved making paper airplanes, or atleast he was very good at it. My brother and I would spend hours with Pappaw in his special room folding airplanes and testing them out in the living area. We would sometimes run outside through the screened in porch and let the airplanes fly past the apple tree, or we would stand at the top of the stairs and drop them to soar below, always testing whose would go furthest. Pappaw would stand there with us, helping to be the judge, and signaling whose airplane had won. I always felt so proud when my airplane won, and I would hug my Pappaw because I knew that his finishing touch on my plane was the thing that helped me beat my brother. Now that Pappaw is gone, I remember that sad Christmas when he passed, but I also remember these happy times we shared. I know that he is now sitting in heaven and smiling as he watches over me. I can enjoy the Christmas season now knowing that Pappaw is with Jesus, who is ultimately the reason for the season.