"Len"

Leonard J. Pate

- Also known as "Len" to my grandmother...one of the best granddaddy's to ever walk this earth. Well, in my opinion. I'm sure my daughter will argue that down the road...since she'll think her's is THE best!

Today, April 2nd, marks the 6th year since my precious granddaddy went to be with the Lord. In some ways, I can hardly believe it's been that long. But, in most ways, it feels like it's been forever. He was such a constant part of my life. He was so loving and steady. I miss him terribly.

So many words come to mind though when I try to describe him to someone. When anyone met him, they knew so much about him within about 3 minutes of first speaking. That is all it took was the first introduction and he knew you. And you certainly knew him.

Everytime I would go to their house, before I could sit down, he would drag me to the backyard or the garage to show me his new tools or his new toys that he found at a yard sale. You see, he was a Master Yard Saler!! I mean it too!! He would find absolute junk at them and come home and fix them up or repair whatever appliances he could find. Then, hold one of his regularly scheduled Friday & Saturday yard sales and sell it (no longer junk) for much more. A lot of folks knew him for his yard salin' skills too.

He was so caring and had so many wonderful characeristics about him. After I got married, I can remember waking up on more than one occasion to look outside and see my sweet granddaddy in my front yard pulling weeds or fixing my mailbox. Then, when I was sick, he'd come over with his famous cornbread, rutabegas & peas or any other comfort food in a plastic bag and ring the doorbell. By the time I opened the door, he was back at his car in the driveway waving. He wasn't gonna hang around long enough to catch it.

Other times, he didn't even care if he caught it. My dad was a long distance truck driver and he was on the road each week. So my mom was extremely sick one time when I was a teenager and I had to take her to the hospital in the middle of the night. I called and told him that we were going and to pray. Not long after we arrived, I heard the squeaking of his leather jacket and the clanking of his keys on his keychain coming down the hall. He came in and sat with us until we left. I didn't have to be scared anymore.

I miss so much about him - can you tell? But, it's amazing the little things that you never forget about someone you love. Those things that make it so real and so special.

He never left his house - and I mean never! - without Juicy Fruit chewing gum and hard cinnamon candies in his front shirt pocket.

He bought a new used car every several months it seemed like. Really...I don't know the ending number, but he had tons of cars in his life. He would take a picture of each one and he had a photo album with most of them in it. Then, next thing you know, it would be sitting on the front lawn with a For Sale sign on it. In any of those cars, he would pick me up from school or take me somewhere and we'd drive the whole ride with the blinker on. It would drive me crazy, but I wouldn't say a thing.

Oh but he didn't drive like an old man in other ways. He certainly didn't poke. And when I was learning to drive, I was on a busy highway in the left lane. I was trying to change lanes and was scared and some lady came flying by us hanging her head out the window and showing me a not-so-nice finger. I remember him telling me I was gonna have to learn to keep up and not be scared. Believe me, I am not scared now. :o)

He cared for my grandmother with a dying passion! I don't know how else to describe it. He lived for her. The year he died, they would have celebrated their 56th anniversary. It was amazing after that many years how in love they were; how much affection they still showed; how they still called each other "Baby" and lit up around one another. It was horrible losing him, but the Lord knows what He is doing. We all said that he couldn't have lived one day on this earth without her. He spoiled her a€nd wouldn't have had it any other way. He's certainly helping Jesus prepare her mansion.

My granddaddy was a hard man in his earlier days I've heard. But, all I ever knew was a softie. He would cry at the drop of a hat. But, he could make you laugh until your belly hurt. He would dance and tell jokes and come up with silly nicknames for my friends. He's probably already given Moses a nickname.

He couldn't sing a lick and all my life, there was an ongoing joke at church about him joining the choir. I'll bet he has a beautiful voice now!! He is singing with the angels.

He was so faithful to our church though. He loved the Lord and served Him with every breath he had in him. He wasn't afraid to tell anyone about the love of Jesus and invite them to church. A lot of people are still there today because he was the first person they met when they visited and he made them feel at home. I'll assume he's a greeter in Heaven.

We have a road behind our church that leads from the front parking lot to the back and it has a street sign that says, "Pate Drive" after my granddaddy. It's a nice reminder of him everytime I drive on it.

But today, on this 6th anniversary of his reunion with Jesus...it's been so comforting to be able to recap some of the special things about him. I could keep you here reading for the remainder of the day. But, I won't. I do thank you though if you are still here. I know he wasn't your "Len" and most of you never knew him.

But, he was our "Len." He was mine.

And the thoughts of you, granddaddy, are just another reminder of what a blessed life I've been given. I can't wait to spend eternity with you. I miss you and I love you so much!

Oh - save a piece of Juicy Fruit for me.

It's in the air

...for today anyway. You know how Georgia weather is - next week we could be sweating our fannies off again.

But, for now - Oh today - It Is In The Air! Our first steps out into the cool air this morning proved a 'wee' bit chilly. Not much though. It was so nice. The wind is blowing, the sky is the perfect shade of blue, with a few puffy bright clouds here and there. The colors will soon be changing...I love this time of year. Can you tell?

I get anxious around this time each year. There is so much planning to be done and so much time to be spent with friends (old and new) & family.

Before we know it, we will be dressing our lil' pumpkin up in a costume for that holiday...you know the one we don't celebrate! Dressing up is still fun though. But, how can we improve on her "natural" cuteness? Hmmm.

We will be making preparations for those Thanksgiving meals. Inviting family over and friends who we've adopted as family. Playing games. Watching football - yes, even me. (just not understanding) Going hunting - no, not me. But, I do have a gun that I love to shoot! Going fishing - just don't ask me to bait the hook. (ewhh) Having bonfires with buddies & hoping it's cool enough for Smores.

There are so many things to enjoy during this season. But, to me this time of year is when most memories are made with friends, reminiscing is done with old friends and family and it's the perfect time of year to snuggle with the one you love.

I'd like to hear what your traditions are for this time of year and what things you are looking forward to over the next couple of months.

Here's to Fall!

What a Man, What a Man, What a Mighty Good Man...

Ladies, my hubby just stuck his head around the corner and said, "Man, you've really been keeping up with the laundry haven't you?"

I just smiled and said, "Thanks for noticing!" I have to say that I hear other women talk about how all of the things (big and small) that they do go unnoticed by their husbands. Kevin has always been pretty good about paying attention, but he got some extra points tonight for the laundry comment.

I strive every day to be that Proverbs 31 woman...I haven't accomplished that yet. But, I guess I'm striving to be the lazy version of her.

I don't see myself E.V.E.R. "seeking wool and flax" and working willingly with my hands to make my family's clothing as the scripture says. But, LemmieTellYa...keeping the laundry even close to caught up is a HUGE accomplishment for me! Do you know how long it's been since we've been able to see the bottom of the hamper?

I'm ashamed to say that there (until recently mind you) has been a sweater in the bottom of the hamper that has been waiting to be cleaned since ummm - probably last fall (almost a year). Why haven't I just washed it you ask? Well, it's not that it was really dirty, but it needed to be dry cleaned and being the lazy version of the Virtuous Woman that I am, I never "got around" to taking it to the cleaners. I've been too busy seeking that wool and flax...what is flax by the way?

So, do you know what I did with it yesterday? Uh huh...I DID...I chunked it! Yes, mom...I know I could have had it cleaned and put in the thrift store or something, but I'm sick of looking at it. It was a perfectly good sweater really, but it resembles procrastination now so "be gone with you sweater."

Well, all of this to say..."Thanks sweet hubby of mine for noticing the empty hamper." All of the things you do for us certainly don't go unnoticed either.

Maybe you'll come home to a cleaned out refrigerator tomorrow. (There's no telling what's in that thing!)

I think my "flax" is calling.

Vacation time...at last

What a joy it has already been spending the past few days with my hubby and daughter!! I'm always with her, but the 3 of us don't get a ton of family time together and her daddy is enjoying this time with her. And it has just begun. The week started off yesterday with a call at 12 a.m. from my friend, Amber, whose water FINALLY broke and was on her way to the hospital!

So, we got up yesterday morning and headed straight to the hospital to see precious little, "Clara Belle" who is absolutely adorable!! Oh my goodness...those cheeks!! I don't know how I'm gonna resist "nibbling" on them!! She is the perfect mixture of her mommy, daddy, and big brother, Trevor. Wish you could see...

Then, we headed to Atlanta for the day and were stuck in traffic on the highway. Listen, it took us LITERALLY almost an hour to go 2 MILES people! Urrggghhhh. We get to the end of the traffic to find 2 men on their knees fixing 2 small holes in the road. They looked like they were barely moving too. Are you kidding me? Time to vent: I think they do this just 'cause they can a lot of times don't you? We were expecting the highway to be all torn up or something!!

Anyway, we made it to our destination: The "Imagine-It" Children's Museum! Emma had a blast! I'll post pics later today. We had a little trouble finding our way back to the highway after leaving the museum. I was a little shaken and praying hard...we found ourselves on a One-Way road and heading straight for the not-so-good part of town. Can't turn around on a one way road ya know. We had no choice, but to keep going...But, once again, we made it.

Kevin and I were commenting how fun it is to not have anything in particular planned this week. We go somewhere for vacation every year and have a schedule to keep...things to do and see. But, this year, we decided to fly by the seat of our pants and take things day by day. I'll tell you it is really nice and less stressful.

He is still in the bed at the moment sound asleep and it is going on 10:00. What a treat for him! He deserves all the rest he can get because he is such a hard worker and wonderful provider for me and Emma.

Well, housework still exists...even on vacation. I'm off to clean house now. That's okay though. My house, although it's messy, is just another kiss from my Father above. At least we have houses to clean right?

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!