I have only had one Grandfather my whole life. He was my Papa, Rev. Robert B. Stewart. You know how your family (i.e. parents, siblings, etc.) is always there to support you and defend you even when you're wrong. But my Papa, he was the only person in this whole world that thought I was perfect. He loved me and gave and gave and gave and gave to me until the day he died. I miss him so much still and sometimes it catches me off guard and I think for a few seconds "I need to ask Papa….." and then it dawns on me that he is gone. Then in the minutes that follow are almost as painful as the day he left this world. I know he wasn't perfect and wasn't the best dad or husband but he was MY perfect Papa.
I never had the chance to meet my dad's father because he died before I was born. I think that's why my own Papa was so special, because he was the only one I had. I said all that to tell you about someone else who I've come to love, admire and respect just as much as I did my own Papa (pronounced paw-paw). Rev. H.L. Stevens, Buster, Bro. Stevens, Papa (poppa), he has many names and all are affectionate terms. I love this man beyond any love that's able to be described in words. I have known this man for over 8 years and from the very first day we met he accepted me for me, embraced me as part of his family and loved me unconditionally. He has given me advice and encouragement, he has helped me and Jason financially when there was no hope, he has embraced every member of my family as if they were his own, and he is married to a special woman who I can say is one of my best friends. He certainly could never replace my Papa but he has come to mean just as much to me. I know that there is truly no perfect human being but I would argue until my last dying breath that Bro. Stevens is as close to perfect as any mortal could be. When Jason and I announced we were getting married he said a couple of things that will always stick in my mind. He said that marriage was a sacred relationship sanctioned by God and it was up to us to protect that union. He said we needed to go into our marriage with the knowledge that every marriage ends in sorrow, whether it be divorce or death and we needed to be prepared to deal with either situation. These past few years have been especially difficult for me and my family, losing Papa, losing Kenzington, all of Dad's health problems, all of Mema's surgeries, and all of Jason and mine's trouble. Bro. Stevens has supported me through all of this and was the first person at the hospital to visit my family, the first one to call to check on me when I was hurting, and the one to step in and try to fix whatever was broken. I've had the pleasure of spending a couple days a week for the last few months with him working on various projects. I know he's getting older and I can see him getting weaker and weaker right before my eyes. He paid me one of the best compliments the other day when he told me that he loved me as if I was his own grandchild, that I was very special to him and Pat both, that he was proud of me, and that Ruby would have really loved me too and he would have given anything for her to have met me. If you only knew how special Ruby was to him, she was his soul mate, the love of his life and he still talks about her to this day with so much love. For him to say this means the world to me and I wanted to share with everyone just how important this man is to me. I have been so blessed to be able to say now that I have had the TWO best Papa's in the world!!
Currently listening:Now That I’ve Found You: A CollectionBy Alison KraussRelease date: 07 February, 1995
11:02 AM
I never had the chance to meet my dad's father because he died before I was born. I think that's why my own Papa was so special, because he was the only one I had. I said all that to tell you about someone else who I've come to love, admire and respect just as much as I did my own Papa (pronounced paw-paw). Rev. H.L. Stevens, Buster, Bro. Stevens, Papa (poppa), he has many names and all are affectionate terms. I love this man beyond any love that's able to be described in words. I have known this man for over 8 years and from the very first day we met he accepted me for me, embraced me as part of his family and loved me unconditionally. He has given me advice and encouragement, he has helped me and Jason financially when there was no hope, he has embraced every member of my family as if they were his own, and he is married to a special woman who I can say is one of my best friends. He certainly could never replace my Papa but he has come to mean just as much to me. I know that there is truly no perfect human being but I would argue until my last dying breath that Bro. Stevens is as close to perfect as any mortal could be. When Jason and I announced we were getting married he said a couple of things that will always stick in my mind. He said that marriage was a sacred relationship sanctioned by God and it was up to us to protect that union. He said we needed to go into our marriage with the knowledge that every marriage ends in sorrow, whether it be divorce or death and we needed to be prepared to deal with either situation. These past few years have been especially difficult for me and my family, losing Papa, losing Kenzington, all of Dad's health problems, all of Mema's surgeries, and all of Jason and mine's trouble. Bro. Stevens has supported me through all of this and was the first person at the hospital to visit my family, the first one to call to check on me when I was hurting, and the one to step in and try to fix whatever was broken. I've had the pleasure of spending a couple days a week for the last few months with him working on various projects. I know he's getting older and I can see him getting weaker and weaker right before my eyes. He paid me one of the best compliments the other day when he told me that he loved me as if I was his own grandchild, that I was very special to him and Pat both, that he was proud of me, and that Ruby would have really loved me too and he would have given anything for her to have met me. If you only knew how special Ruby was to him, she was his soul mate, the love of his life and he still talks about her to this day with so much love. For him to say this means the world to me and I wanted to share with everyone just how important this man is to me. I have been so blessed to be able to say now that I have had the TWO best Papa's in the world!!
Currently listening:Now That I’ve Found You: A CollectionBy Alison KraussRelease date: 07 February, 1995
11:02 AM
