Thursday, August 21, 2025

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.


27 comments:

Bob Kerr said...

SWEET....!

Ken Clary said...

You need to start a blog

Cheri Donnell said...

So sweet...hold him close what little time we have. Love you my friend

Judy McEntee said...


Love this Liz. I know that feeling. We hate to think of that day. Enjoy every min because as u know it can be gone way too soon. Love u.

Tommie Smith said...

I Love This Story with your DAD 🙏💙🙏
I’m always looking forward to reading ,
“ TUESDAYS WITH PAPPO “
Love you

Maaike Plantinga said...

So special ❤️

Gwen McCord said...

You seem to be able to bring a boatload of tears and an ocean full of smiles to my face when you tell your stories about Pappo. It’s akin to Paul Harvey’s…..the rest of the story❤️🙏

Kimberly Harty said...

Keep the true stories coming they keep me lifted up. I miss my Dad so much my name was Boogie.

Bud Zier said...

I always look forward to your “Tuesdays with Papo’s” posts. Such wonderful memories and thoughts from both of you. ❤️
Hope you continue to be blessed with these special times for many more years.🙏

Sarah McLemore said...

Love him!

Jerald Kiefer said...

As a long time resident of your Pappo’s former Garland neighborhood, I miss his company very much. I still have high hopes of making it over there to have lunch or dinner with Jim. I know my time is limited… take good care of my special friend. He’s one of a kind! Jerald

Ruth Myers said...

Love This!

Pat Hudson said...

Enjoy the minutes

Sandra Genovese said...

Was he an engineer or accountant? He has pen and paper in his shirt pocket.

John Sexton said...

Super!!

Linda Kleber Tubbs said...

What a sweet, wonderful story!

Cherie Kranz Brown said...

He looks amazing for 97! Such a sweet man

Cathy Carnahan Honeycutt said...

Love it! Such sweet memories

Jo Hansen said...

He's really special to you.

Rain Paixao said...

I Love your relationship with your pops

Joyce Moneta said...

That still is a favorite story
So sweet is your relationship with him. Quality vs quantity

Denice Buchanan, LMT said...

Soft-hearted (both of you)

Marilyn Joyce said...

Fabulous picture!

Cissie Larsen said...

♥️

May Calder Vasek said...


Absolutely lovely. Hold him close

James Messler said...

Liz, thank you for sharing that story! I don't think until now I ever knew how/ why he gave you that nick name...

Chuck Bradford said...

Wow what great memories you both have