Happy Birthday, Popadopolus!

Last year we were in our Disney World condo celebrating Pop's 60th birthday along with Jason's and Bradley's. Here's a clip of that wonderful, cherished moment... wish we were back there.

The girls and I sang "Happy Birthday" to your picture tonight. I know you heard us. Miss you every second.

Letter From Heaven

(My Aunt Retta sent me this... It is wonderful!)

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again;
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.


And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

~Author~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey

Pictures from last September

These are pics from a year ago - some from the reunion and some from Alabama. He was in remission, feeling and looking like his old self. They are the last pictures taken of him before he found out the cancer returned. Lord, I miss that warm, loving, funny man.

Aunt Lucy and Dad

Uncle Bill and Dad

Fishin' buddies - Pops and Nick

Chad and Dad

Big Boys Toys

One of the best, most memorable moments of my life

With his youngest's youngest

With Dixie and Sophie

Proud of his new truck

Well, this one's from July right when his hair was growing back. I just love it, though, because they have the same hairdo;)

And this one's from last February, right after his first chemo treatment. Man, that Maddy adored her Pops - you can see it in her face.

Me and My Dad... (by Keri)

Pops - by Delaney

My Pops had a great smile!!!

Pops with silly blue easter grass hair!!


Me and Pops at Disney World (on his 60th birthday)!!

Pops was one of the best grandpas on earth! I liked to watch Pops play Xbox. Pops liked to play with me, too. Then one day he shaved all of his hair off. Then Pops had a bald head. And Pops said, ''If you rub my head you will get good luck!'' One Easter Pops put Easter grass on his head!!! Pops gave the best hugs and kisses!! And then one day Pops passed away! Then he went to heaven and I was a sad because I can't see Pops but I was a little happy because Pops is not sick any more. I know that I can talk to Pops whenever I want to and he will hear me and I will be with him one day forever!

I love Pops!!!!!!!!!

Eulogy I read at the service (by Angie)

First, I want to thank you all for being here. For showing such tremendous respect for my Dad and providing such gracious support for my family. Thank you.

In the last year, as we've all dealt with Dad's illness in different ways, I've thought mostly about my relationship with him, and what I will be taking into my life from him that I can pass on to my children. Because I am a mother and not a father, it has taken me a long time to see what I have gotten from Dad besides his big round face and his big, ugly feet. I hear myself sounding more and more like Mom every day as I raise my kids. But I have worked to find Dad in me, too. There’s so much more of him in me than I ever thought. Let me tell you about him, from the perspective and experience of being his baby girl.

My Dad and I communicated best just sitting together quietly shoulder-to-shoulder. Or joking around endlessly. If you really knew him, you know he had a great sense of humor. For instance, we have spent the past 15 years, since Mom died, scaring each other with rubber snakes. Back and forth, I never knew where I’d find one… in my bed, my suitcase on many occasions, my sock drawer, wrapped around my steering wheel. I’m going to miss those stupid snakes. He didn’t always say what was on his mind, but he found ways to communicate his love anyway. He was a hugger, and his hugs cured any pain, any heartache. Out-of-the-blue hugs where he just grabbed you with his big strong arms from across the room and enveloped you in his love and security. He was a man of few words… but when he spoke, you listened. And in all my 32 years, I never, ever heard him raise his voice in anger. Ever. Or say a single mean word to anyone. He didn’t have to. It wasn’t his way. He gained so much respect from that quality.

From him I was given unending support, even when I made crazy decisions like moving to California right out of college to be with some guy with insane dreams. I always wanted to make him proud and never disappoint him. He always trusted me to make the right decisions, and if I didn’t, I knew I always had him to fall back on. He was always my soft place to fall.

So, how do you say “goodbye” to the man who gave you everything? The man who gave you life. The man who provided you with a solid and secure foundation built on love. I had the greatest childhood. Ricky, Keri and I are some of the few people in this world who can say they had a close-to-perfect childhood. We did. Our parents were the reason. My dad worked hard so we could have worry-free lives, giving us the ability to use our imaginations to dream and have good educations to make those dreams reality. He gave us everything.

My Dad always gave me the best, juiciest bite of his steak. He always smelled like Ice Blue Aqua Velva, or grilled food or fish or car grease. He taught me how to bait a hook, and clean fish. When I was in high school, soon after mom died, he would take me in the back yard and throw tennis balls at the brick wall of our house with me to release anger. Also during that time, he taught me how to fall asleep on nights that I couldn’t. We’d lay together, first relaxing our toes, then our feet, our ankles…an so on. I don’t think we ever make it to our thighs before we were both snoring. I have taught that same trick to my oldest daughter.

Speaking of my girls. He was an even better grandfather. A “Pops”. He was a get on the floor and play a game Pops, take them fishing or boat riding Pops, chat on the phone Pops, X-Box playing Pops. They are going to miss out on so much of his love and personality. We will keep his legacy alive, with the help of “Mr. C”. Now they have one more amazing angel to watch over them as they grow.

Because of my Dad, I don’t cringe at soft rock or easy listening music. It makes me think of him. So many songs from so many road trips make me think of him. What other 60-year-old man knows the words to Baby Got Back? Because of him I love camping and water and Daddy-long-leg spiders, listening to birds. I love BBQ pork chops and steak grilled with only garlic. I know how to properly mow grass and change oil and tires in my car.

He was the ultimate father and ultimate provider. It never failed, he would stand in the driveway in his moccasin slippers saying, “Before you go, let me check your oil and tires”. “Do you need any cash?” - “No I don’t.” - “Take it anyway.” Just this past Easter he stuffed my pocket with a wad of cash. He figured that as long as he could help, he would. He had, has a heart of gold, for his family and his friends. I am his baby. He protected me from everything.

It feels so strange to be talking about him in the past tense. He is still so much a part of our lives and always will be. He was such a good, good man - an amazing dad, husband, brother, son, friend, soldier, hard worker, fisherman, generous and loving and strong and kind and funny and full of life. There was so much more he wanted to do with Dixie, wonderful, beautiful Dixie. We are so incredibly fortunate to have her in our lives. There is so much more he wanted to do with his grandchildren. I know he has gone to a better place, a place without pain and into the arms of a woman who has been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for him to return to her, but it still sucks. I have been unable to come up with a more suitable word for this situation. It just sucks. It still seems unfair. The only solace I have is that we will all be together again one day, never to be separated. It’s only a matter of time.

And so, I will always think of him when I look at myself in the mirror and see that I really do have the Jackson face and so many of his mannerisms. We both chew our cheeks when we’re nervous, we both love our heads and backs scratched, we both go silent when we’re feeling strong emotions. I can also see that I am lucky to have his passionate nature, his love of the outdoors, family and of life itself, and his strength. With any luck, in thirty years, my children will look at themselves, and count themselves lucky, too.

So, I will miss you, Pop, my Popadopalus, my Superman, my hero. I will miss you, but you will be with me wherever I go, because I am from you.

Love, Your Baby, Forever and Always
Shorty