Making Coffee in Heaven.....

In loving memory,     J.W. "Pete"  Smart    February 29, 1924 -- August 9, 2012

To say I have a heavy heart tonight is an understatement.  One of the most beloved men in my life.....and to many....went to be with Jesus.  My "Papaw."

There have been very few men in my life who have never let me down. Ever.  In fact....I don't even need one hand to count them. He is one of them. He was the perfect grandfather in every sense of the word.

Growing up....I lived just two doors down from my Mamaw and Papaw until my Daddy's job forced us to move to Newport.  I lived there until the summer before 6th grade.  For a long time....6 years to be exact....I was an only child AND an only grandchild.  They spoiled me rotten!!  :) 

My dad wasn't much of a "hands on" dad to me growing up.  He worked alot.  Shift work mostly, so when we were awake he was either sleeping or working.  My Papaw played a big part of the "Daddy's Little Girl" to me when we lived on Baldwin Street.  Here are a few things I remember:

- Hopping on the riding lawn mower and riding with him.  Even on days when the lawn really didn't need mowing.  He just knew I liked to ride!  :)

- His woodshop.  He was a talented carpenter.  Has a shop completely full of tools.....two of them really.  My Mamaw joked that he built one to keep from cleaning out the other.  Now they are BOTH full.  I remember various litte things he built for us over the years....Christmas yard Decor, the little wooden trash cans, built-in shelves, desk and vanity area for my bedroom.  Many things over the years.  Wish I still had some things.  As he got older, his knees, his arthritis, etc. prevented him from doing much.  I know this broke his heart.

- Pecans.  He has HUGE pecan trees in his yard.  I remember SO many times, "pickin up pecans," and us kids would kinda fight over who got to use the nifty little "pecan picker-upper"!  :)  I also remember shelling those on the front porch.

- The front porch.  That is where you would find Papaw Pete perched most of the time.  Just sitting and watching the world.
- His garden.  Lordy, I honestly think he could "live off the land."  I remember shellin peas, picking tomatoes, and up until a year or so ago, I'd always get a bundle of fresh corn!  If I'm not mistaken, he still "supervised" the garden in his back yard that the neighbor planted.  :)

- Sunday afternoon drives.  West Helena is located on the banks of the Mississippi.  Every single Sunday....with.out.fail.  We took a drive - by way of Baskin Robbins  :)-- to "look at the river."  In fact, earlier this year, we made a visit....and this picture was taken in the car at a stop sign....from our last drive to see the river together....

- West Helena United Methodist Church.  This was the church that first laid my seeds of faith.  I wish I knew the exact number of years my grandparents were members.  But, what I do know, is that "Mr. Pete" was a fixture there.  At his post right beside the door.....he was always the first one you would see when you came in on Sunday morning.  Handing out bulletins and hugs.  I found him there on my last visit to his church back in May on my suprise visit for my mother's birthday.  Most of my life, he took care of the lawn.....and I remember riding on the mower up there too!  :)  The church was located only a couple of blocks from their home.  So we always "came and went" by the church so Papaw could keep an eye on things.  He opened the church every Sunday and got the coffee started.  I remember a time when they cut a visit short to us in Newport because I guess his "backup" man was out of pocket and Papaw was worried about WHO was gonna open the church, turn on the heat, and "make the coffee"!  :)  I still love this church.  I was baptized in that church.  My parents were married there.  Most of my cousins and other family members.  And my grandparents renewed their vows on their 50th wedding Anniversary there. 

- Sunday evening phone calls.  For many years, before the widespread use of cell phones, it was cheaper to call long distance on Sunday nights.  So papaw made all his calls each Sunday night.  I can still hill his familiar "Heeeeyyy!!" on the other end.....from deep in his belly.  You knew he was smiling just by the sound of his voice.  He continued that trend....mostly out of habit....and sat down and called all the kids and grandkids each Sunday night. With he on one phone, and mamaw on the other.  No reason....just a chat!  :)

-  His recliner.  You could climb up in it WITH him.  But it's HIS seat.  Everyone knows that.  :)

- At his house, each Christmas....the Razorbacks and not reindeer, pulled Santa in.  His wooden display every single year.....that he made.  Always made me smile.

- His rolls.  Mamaw Smart is known for her homemade yeast rolls.  Kinda like the saying for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders....."often imitated, never equaled."  They are single-handedly the best thing you ever put in your mouth.  My Papaw retired a little before my mamaw and HE began baking rolls.  Soon his were just as good!  :)

- Jay's.  My mamaw has a rule that from Saturday at noon....until Sunday night....her kitchen was closed.  Every Sat night they (and us too!) would drive to the little diner down the street to eat a burger.  Papaw never met a stranger.  And without fail, they usually had an unofficial reservation somewhere after church.  As resteraunts in Helena opened and closed, they changed throughout the years.  I remember Golden Corral, Ryan's, and most recently Kelly's.  Again, the staff knew them.  And loved them. 

- Leap Year baby!  My papaw's birthday was Feb 29th.  He only got a REAL birthday every 4 years.  He played on this throughout my life.  I'll never forget the day that I was "older" than my Papaw!  ha

I could go on and on, but my tears are overwhelming me with sadness as I miss him so much.  I wish "life" hadn't made me so busy that I didn't call more.  Visit more.....throughout the past few years. 
I remember very few times he ever scolded me or disciplined me for anything. I'm sure he did.....but the fact that I have no recollection of it tells me that he did it in such a loving and gentle way that it was very successful. I've never once doubted his love for me. Or for anyone in his family. He was present for every single major event in my life and many "minor" ones that are too numerous to list.

I never doubted his love for the Lord.  The man served his country both in WWII and Korea. I feel that he must have been bothered over the years from some of the things he either saw or endured.....because never in his "stories" were any from the war.  He has lost his parents, countless friends, siblings, and the inconceivable.  He outlived two of his three precious children and a great grandchild. His oldest son Robert was unexpectedly killed in a car accident when he was in his early 20's.  And of course, breast cancer took my mother at age 49.  Never once, have I ever seen his faith shaken.  He never turned away from God. 

He was married to the love of his life for 66 years.  Where you saw one....you saw the other.  My heart is simply broken for my grandmother who is left in this world without her best friend.  They were everything I wish I had.  They loved, laughed, bickered (hehe), but could definately finish each other's sentences.  Pete and Lucille will be remembered for many, many, many things.....individually, of course.   But mostly, as a team.

I am simply without words.  There is not another man like him.  Simply precious.  Throughout every mistake.  Throughout every victory.  Throughout every single step in my life.  They have been there for me and "loved me anyway."  I've seen tears in my Papaw's eyes few times in my life.  And one of our last conversations, he was sobbing uncontrollably in worry for me over my diagnosis, my decisions, my well-being in general.  This man loved me. I know this. 

Everyone called him "Papaw Pete" --  He was a loving, kind, and even somewhat grumpy at times man to anyone he met.  He was REAL!!  I hope he knows how much I loved him.  Wish I could have told him one more time.  He is now walking with our Father.  Surrounded by all of the loved ones that have made a place for him there.  He no longer needs his cane.  He no longer has pain or discomfort.  THAT....gives me peace.  A peace that he is making a way for all of us here in this earthly place....striving to see him again.

Please pray for my entire family.  Especially my Mamaw.  The world.....OUR world....will never again be the same.  I can just see him now....with that big ...deep in the belly...."Heeeeeyyyy!" ....greeting those in heaven.....and probably "making the coffee"  :)

I love you my sweet Papaw Pete. I will never forget our last visit.....your last words of advice for me.....your last hug.  Nor will I forget all the years you spoiled me, you loved me, you guided me, you prayed for me.  May you finally rest in peace......

In Him,
Terri