At Long Last....

Believe it or not I actually started writing this post on October 12th. Life has been so busy and honestly it is starting to get to me. Since my last post it has been an up and down time for my family. First, one of my dearest friends, Greg Lucas, died following a motorcycle accident. There was no way to be around Greg and not be excited and upbeat. He was a walking example of what our “Joy in the Lord” is suppose to be. Greg would always come up to me and try to tickle my belly button. I would say, “Greg, do you mind!” He would reply, “Why, no I don’t. Move your hand!” I will always remember Greg in classes at the Center with his pencil, paper, and tape recorder, while everyone else had their laptops. When he would call the church office at Mesquite he would ask for me and when Susan would ask if she could say who was calling he replied would just say, “Yes you may,” and leave it at that. Greg will be missed. He was a good friend and dear brother.

A couple of weeks after Greg passed Danna’s Dad, E.W. Withrow, passed away unexpectedly. He was such a positive influence on so many lives. He taught me how to really love and take care of a family. He worked hard to provide for his family. Just so of my favorite memories of Dad.

1). I was a Junior in High School and Danna got home a little late one Friday night, like 2 a.m. late. Mom gave me a stern talk on the phone and told E.W wanted to talk to me, but wanted to do it face to face. All morning Sunday morning I was peeking around corners trying to dodge him because I knew he wanted to hit me. I ran into him by chance I just froze, starting sweating, closed my eyes and waited for the punch. He just slapped me on the arm and said, “Good morning Mr. Shannon,” and walked by me. I almost wet my pants. Danna said, “He knew he had you and that it wouldn’t happen again.” She was right it never did.

2). One year around Christmas time Mom was telling us all the things she had to do on Saturday. Dad told her she needed to go buy his Christmas present. The girls all started razing him and asked if he had a present for Mom. He replied that he had decided to spend the day with her watching TV, what more could she ask for! (I still get a roll in the floor over that one.)

3). Dad bought a new pop-up camper several years ago and wanted everyone to see it. Danna and I, along with our friends the Langford’s drove down to the lake to see it. Mom was inside with all the women, Danna, Andrea, Sue, Kathy and Karen, showing it off while the three guys, Dad, Matt and I, sat outside talking. Dad looked over at the camper and them back at us and said, Boys there’s about 1500 pounds in that camper right now. He looked over at his little Dodge Dakota truck, back at the trailer and turned to us again and said, Boys you think I could pull that camper with all that weight in there. Now I know that may sound cold, but Dad was always cracking jokes and did it in a loving way. All of us picked back in the same way and he loved it.

It is hard to imagine going to visit at the house and Dad not being there. As we were going in for Thanksgiving Brennen told Danna, Mommy I’ll wake Papa up when we get to his house. We both just cried the whole way in. I never told Dad enough how much he blessed my life. It was always one of those things I felt I could never tell him enough. Now you know why it has been hard for me to finish this post. I felt like I needed to finish it and not just let it slide. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to be blessed by two of the most genuine men I have ever known. They loved people and most importantly they loved and served God. They truly were lights in a dark world and ambassadors for Jesus Christ.