Saturday, January 28, 2012
SS Grandpa Gil and my Daddy!
The year was 1975… It was September 4, just days before my Father’s 26th birthday, I was one year old and my Grandfather Pye died. We had never met. He knew I was here, but he was in North Carolina, busy working for McDonald’s. His obituary, found online in October, revealed that he had a year of declining health followed by a week of critical illness before he died at the age of 49. It also revealed a long history of service in the U.S. Marine Corp. He retired at 24.5 years as a Gunnery Sergeant.
In all the years growing up, I learned little of my Grandfather Pye, now affectionately named Grandpa Gil in my mind. (Not like he can argue with what I call him.) He lives as a picture in my mind substantiated by a lone picture that hung in my parent’s room as I was growing up. I can only imagine the man he was. Thankfully Grandpa Gil has opened up a door that I never knew was there. My Dad and I have always had a special relationship, probably because I’m the oldest and he has loved me the longest. (A joke for my Sisser.) Having a 17 year old son I frequently look at my relationship with my parents and think about how things are different and yet the same...
It struck me today; my Dad has always been a grown man since I have known him. Yea, I know what you are thinking, of course he is grown, you are grown, but I mean, grown/mature. In looking into learning more about my Grandpa Gil I realize that my Dad had to grow up fast and take care of himself and his sister. Then I came along… My brother.. Then my sister… And he was in college… Working 2 and 3 jobs to support us… In 1988, he got a job where he didn’t have to work as much and we got to see him more. Looking back, that is when he came alive. All of a sudden he had relief. Money was better, he had a schedule, he enjoyed the work, loved the people…
Our lives are different now and our relationships are evolving. I enjoy EVERY minute I have with my Daddy… And learning about Grandpa Gil, what a blessing! I’m connecting the dots. I found where he was buried in North Carolina. And found out that his wife, my Gammy Margaret is alive… I’m trying to get all of the information together to plan a trip there. My bucket list item is to see his headstone. In reality this is the tip of the iceberg. Looking for his headstone I am finding him and more about my Dad. AWESOMENESS!
I have to add a shout out to my group Rascal Flatts and say congrats on the ACM nominations on Thursday. As I was writing this a song came up on my iPod that really summarizes so much about where I am and this list. The name of the song is When the Sand Runs Out. Look at the lyrics! WOW! I told you they have been the soundtrack to my life! This one is on the Feels Like Today CD.
I spent the morning at an old friend's grave
Flowers and Amazing Grace, he was a good man
He spent his whole life spinnin' his wheels
Never knowin' how the real thing feels
He never took a chance or took the time to dance
And I stood there thinking as I said goodbye
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on
And learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, make my mark
I wanna leave something here
Go out on a ledge, with out any net
That's what I'm gonna be about
Yeah I wanna be runnin'
When the sand runs out
'Cause people do it everyday
Promise themselves they're gonna change
I've been there, but I'm changin' from the inside out
That was then and this is now
I'm a new man, yeah, I'm a brand new man
And when they carve my stone they'll write these words
"Here lies a man who lived life for all that its worth"
And as the cold wind blows across the graveyard
I think I hear the voice of my old friend whisper in my ear
I'm gonna stop lookin' back and start movin' on
Learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, make my mark
I wanna leave something here
Go out on a ledge, with out any net
That's what I'm gonna be about
Yeah I wanna be runnin'
When the sand runs out
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