Just yesterday we learned of a passing in the family, our grandfather has passed. A great man, kindest soul I can think of, a man that was very happy with what he had. Not trying to gain an advantage on anybody whatsoever, in fact, would rather help somebody unprompted than gain an advantage. A kind of soul that I don't see in this day and time anymore. In the mountains of North Carolina their home was a place of solace not just for myself but my cousins and extended family alike. A natural wonderland, place of endless excitement for a kid growing up. My Papaw had set up a Utopia for us in basically a skatepark in the driveway, finding each of the grandkids their own individual bike at yard sales. He also had an assortment of wild berries and fruits ready for us to pick. If I can remember them all, he had blueberry bushes, huge ones. Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, an apple tree, and grape vines all growing on the family property, not enough to pick and make money off of, that wasn't the point. He had those there just for us, to provide that place for the imagination to grow. I didn't mention my favorite. Above the "skatepark", he had my black cherry tree. THE BEST. I would get a ladder or climb up on somebodies car in attempt to reach more cherries, I'd eat those things until I was struggling to move, often angering my mom with the juice all over my clothes. Not only the berries and the skatepark, at the bottom of the driveway, he had a natural spring that ran a creek across the pavement that was the coolest thing in the world to me. Next to that was a bamboo forest that he planted, which was effectively the war zone for cops and robbers, hide and seek, whatever we were doing. One of the more heartwarming things, once he figured out our side of the family was deep into basketball culture, he bought some 2x4's, salvaged an old basketball rim and made a 10ft goal himself above the driveway just for me. Cory eventually grew to 6'7 and played D1 ball, I never did anything with basketball but it's the sincere thought that counts. He surprised us with a homemade basketball goal in the sanctuary of our childhood. My Papaw was a tremendous man that deserves to be recognized. He was a poet and a writer, recently publishing a children's book entitled "Old Mack Donald's Ee-Yi-Oh" which is recently available on Amazon. I've rarely asked anybody to buy anything on this podcast, but next episode I will promote that and give an example of what it is. Thank you for expanding my soul's horizon, Papaw. As long as I am here on this rock, your gentle gestures and kindred spirit will push me to be a better individual not only to my family but to complete strangers. I thank you and I apologize for anything I've ever done wrong in your eyes even though I know you've already forgiven me. I love you Papaw, will miss you dearly
