Tuesdays With Pappo: "I Named You...."

 TUESDAYS WITH PAPPO

"He Named Me......"

A hundred years ago (actually only 65 but....whatever...), my Dad was away on company training in Detroit, MI when I decided to arrive in this world.

When he arrived back home, my Mom picked him up at Love Field Airport with a brand smackin' new baby in her arms. Dad got off the plane, cradled his new chunky baby.....kissed her on the cheek and said, "She is so soft (most likely due to the flab)....I'm going to call her......Softie."

And so he did. I have been Pappo's "Softie" for 65 years and I often wonder, "Does he know my real name?" It doesn't matter...I will forever be Softie to Pappo.

Yesterday, while having our weekly lunch together, he looked off into the distance and told me the story once again. "I named you Softie" he said....and I think I just might have seen a glimmer of a tear in his eye as he recalled that day.

These moments....this time with Pappo....I don't take this gifted time for granted. He is 97.....his days are limited more than most....and ya, sometimes he says crazy things....but then there are those days that he says, "I named you, Softie".....and it makes my smile.