As many of you all know - my granddad, Louis Gene Cooper, passed away on Saturday morning. Luckily, I already had plans to be in Texas this weekend to celebrate the upcoming birth of Kenley Vasek, my college roommate's daughter, so I was able to spend Thursday night and most of Friday at the hospital with him and the rest of his family. As sad as it was to see him dying, it was nice getting together with my grandmother, his 5 daughters and most of his 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and sharing the memories that we have of him.
I love how my granddad always greeting me (or any of the grandchildren) with "Hey Gal" or "Look Who the Cat Drug In". However, as long as I can remember he has been hard of hearing - so, when you answered him, he always said, "Huh?" I loved how it was standard...but, we got used to it and we just had to remember to talk a little (or a lot) louder. :)
My granddad ALWAYS carried around change in his pocket...and he loved to rattle his change in his pocket. You always knew when he was in the room because of the sound that he made with that change. Probably because my grandmother was around him 24/7, this sound would get on her nerves and she would always say, "Gene, stop rattling the change."
He loved to play 42 (dominos), he would play with my dad and uncles after the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. He was an amazing dominos player - and his team would usually win. I was lucky enough to learn how to play 42 and was able to play with him at least once.
Granddaddy was also a country Baptist preacher - and he officiated one of my cousins weddings. He started praying during the wedding, then realized he had missed a song that was going to be sang, so he stopped in the middle of his prayer. We all kind of giggled and laughed - and those are the kind of memories that we all loved about him.
He was really a great man and was loved by many. He will certainly be missed - but, we all know that he is in a better place now. As my niece Hailey said, "Why are you all sad? We ARE going to see Granddad again in Heaven."
Love you granddad.
I enjoyed reading your memories about your granddad. I know you will miss him greatly and I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your Granddad. When I lost my Grandpa it was really hard. We were pretty close. It sounds like you were too. Thanks for sharing the sweet memories with us. He sounds like a very sweet man. It gave me a chance to reflect back to my memories with my own Grandpa as well. You will see him again and in the mean time those happy memories will see you through. What a blessing to be able to go to the hospital and see him. I often marvel at how well we are looked out for by our Heavenly Father as he makes it possible for us to be where we need to be at the times we need to there. My prayers are with you and your family. http://happytobe-the6ofus.blogspot.com/
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