Friday, May 9, 2025

Tuesdays With Pappo

 Tuesdays With Pappo

This week, I saw my Pappo for the first time in almost a month!

I drove like a bangee the 1-1/2 hours to Keene, anxious to see this man of 97, only to find him laying on his bed, shoes on and fully dressed, sound asleep. I won't lie, my heart stopped for a second when I saw him sprawled out on his bed in the middle of the day.....but went over and kissed him on the head and his eyes popped open as he said, "S-O-F-T-I-E!!"



We headed to our usual.....Braums....for lunch but decided to detour to his barber for a quick haircut (he claimed he was starting to look like a "Beetnick"....I hadn't heard that word since he called "The Monkees" that in 1967).


Haircut complete, we drove on down to our usual place....same booth....same #1 with a Diet Coke....and 3 ketchups. We talked about our trip...about how hard it was to see his car get sold....and then he said, "I just don't understand why this is happening."

We paused. I slowly reminded him that God had already determined the amount of his hours, minutes and days back when he was in Grandma's belly...and that God still had work for him to do. He had a purpose for him before he headed "Home". He gave me that sideways frown, like he didn't like that answer. And then words came out of my mouth that friends, could have only come from God....cause they weren't mine. I suggested he and I, just he and I, come up with a "project" that would help others at his independent living. We weren't going to tell anyone what the project was, so I can't tell you here, but let me just say, the last picture here was the face of my Pappo when we shook on that silent project we came up with. He now had purpose....he now felt useful....and that project? Well, its already in motion.

16 comments:

Diana Roberts Beaty said...

So sweet

Walbridge-Dolin Sandy said...

I have tears streaming

Mickie Hunter said...

What a wonderful special daughter you are!!!🥰

Maaike Plantinga said...

Sure he missed you

Tommie Smith said...

Your Love & Care is Priceless
What Gracious & Beautiful Daughters Pappo has 💖🙏💖
Your Stories & Time Spent Together are so Precious . Thank you Liz Etheridge-Sekerke for sharing

Carol Leach Lindsay said...

You are the best

Gina Moon said...

Oh that is wonderful.

Carla Melcher said...

Sweet sweet sweet!!! Can’t wait to see/hear what it is! By the way…..got time for me anytime soon?? I need my Liz fix!!

Joyce Moneta said...

What a nice story
You said all the right things.
He is lucky to have you

Cherie Kranz Brown said...

You are amazing and so is your dad! I can't wait to find out what y'all are up to!

Beth Noel Gonzalez said...

You are such a great daughter Liz! You both are blessed to have each other .

David Eaton said...

To love someone and they love you back is such a blessing. You need your Pappo as much as he needs you. Isn't that wonderful. I will add Pappo in my prayers tonight.🙏🏻

Julie Capps said...

We all need to feel needed and like we make a difference in this world no matter our age

Cissie Larsen said...

So sweet…..

Jan Urban said...

Love this

Jane Hill said...

You are one amazing woman Pappo is so lucky to have you but I know he knows that. Can’t wait to hear what you two planned !!!!!!