Sadly, my Dad passed away July 17th. He has had some health issues, but his death was not something that I thought was imminent. His death has been hard for me to "process" (if that's the right word). I'm going to post a few pictures of him and some thoughts I have on it.
The one thing I've tried hard to do with both of my parents is to make sure that I have the kids be a part of their lives, and to have the Grandparents be a part of the kids' lives. I think it's important to have that connection be real and tangible to the kids. They very much loved their Grand Daddy. He was larger than life - loud, boisterous, very "country". He let them play in the dirt (much to my protests), and wanted them to experience "country life" that they didn't usually get to experience in Houston.
Here is the card that I made for Dad to be given out at his funeral. I wanted to show him doing things that made him happy (like playing guitar).
These are the collages of photos of my Dad and my kiddos that I posted at the funeral.
Below are a few of the pictures that I had of my Dad from my Grandmother's house when she passed away. The first picture below makes me think about my Grandmother, Dorothy Grissom. She was probably in her early 20's when my Dad was born, and because he is sitting in a cotton field when the photo was taken, I have to assume she was there, working, probably with other children in tow. When I think about the hardships she faced raising 7 children in the late 1930's through the early 1950's, I hardly think any obstacle I've faced in life compares. She was an amazing person, an incredibly hard worker, who raised amazing children, all of them. I'm in awe of her resolve and her abilities.
Later in life, she ran a restaurant in Piedmont where I lived. It was a business that was very successful every day it was open. She was a business owner at a time when women were not usually business owners. She accomplished much in life, and gave much to her grandchildren and children.
Here is a photo of my Dad from Olan Mills. This was taken in 1942. When you think about the cost of this photo, of what had to be sacrificed to have it, it becomes more precious to me. My grandmother sacrificed to have this photo taken, and I understand what she felt in order to make that sacrifice for her children. I probably have not had to make such a sacrifice for my children because of what my family gave to me. But, I appreciate the sacrifice she made, and understand the feelings that you feel for your children and wanting them to have things that you may not have had.
My Dad was called "Bones" in his early years. I had asked him about the nick name. He said it was because he was so skinny growing up. This photo is of him and his brother Dennis, and you can definitely see why Daddy was called "Bones". His arm bones are very prominent in the photo (my Dad is on the left). He said he was 14 in the photo, but to me, he looks much younger. I asked him if he had enough to eat, that he looked emaciated. He said it was "just him". He was always skinny growing up.
Here is a photo of my Dad as a Senior in high school. Not long after this photo was taken, at 19 years of age, he bought the restaurant that sustained our family for many years afterwards. He was only 19 when he purchased a restaurant. He had no formal training, no college degree, no business school training. He had only raw talent and ability, and the courage to make it happen.
I am going to miss my Dad. He had inate business talent that I will never have. He had the drive and work ethic that he inherited from my Grandmother. Both he and she were amazing business people, courageous business people. I miss my Dad, and by seeing how many of his traits came from my Grandmother, I miss her all over again, too.
Bones was always a special uncle to me. I think what you said above is touching, deep and a perfect description of the man. He helped a lot of people over his life time and that will be missed. He probably had the best business mind of anyone in the family and I can remember calling him many times to ask for advice. Things were just common sense to him and once he explained something to you, the complicated became obvious. I'll always regret not going and talking with him about what he saw in those RV and trailer parks that other people didn't see. One last thing was the courage, he definitely had the courage to try something and I'll always admire him for that.
AG
Posted by: alan grissom | 07/30/2009 at 10:10 PM