Vacation? What’s that? I haven’t had a vacation in over year. Yeah sure I’ve had time off from work, due to whatever new illness hits the block. But not a vacation. Anywhoo. My mom and dad ARE on vacation. That leaves my 86 year old grandpa alone. And probably hungry.
(Remember Happy Thanks-Taking (a vacation)…. last year?) This year I am on Fourth of July detail.
Whenever my mom and dad go away it is my pleasure to assume the position of watching over Poppa Sye. I check on him, stop by the house, I call him to see if he needs anything. I even make sure that he is entertained. I take pride in having that responsibility. It is one of the many reasons I choose to live in the same complex as my mom and dad. I love my family. Family to me is the most important thing in the world. I cherish every moment I can get with my family.
Now, Poppa Sye doesn’t cook. He never has, he’s like me in that respect. I have no idea what I am doing in a kitchen. My grandmother who passed away last mothers’ day was the chef supreme. No one needed to cook when she was around. Don’t get me wrong, Poppa Sye, can make a mean peanut butter and banana sandwich, but nothing of substance. He either goes out to eat, or my parents (well my dad) do all the cooking.
My grandfather is also the kindest, most thoughtful person, on the planet. He is the definition of a gentleman. I wanted to do something special for him, since he is always doing something special for all of us. I love him so much and who knows how much longer he will be here with us. While I can, I try to get in as much one on one time as I can with him.
I decided to invite Poppa Sye for dinner at my house. Of course once my girlfriend Jennifer caught wind that Poppa Sye would be coming over for dinner, she wanted to come over too. She loves Poppa Sye. (who doesn’t?) I was going to make pork chops and mashed potatoes (because that is the only meal I know how to make) but, now that there would be 6 guests instead of the original 3 people, Jennifer refused to let me try to cook. (good call).
Poppa Sye arrived first. He came bearing gifts for everyone. A box of my favorite tea, a DVD for Jennifer and Wilson, a toy doll for Chloe and a magnifying glass for JCH. Like I said, grandpa is the definition of a gentleman. He would never show up to a dinner party without first taking into consideration who would be there and what he could do for them.
While we waited for the others to show up who were running late because they were in a fake armed robbery (long story, another time). Grandpa wanted to know all about how my writing was going. My grandfather and grandmother have been my two biggest supporters since I was 17 and started taking writing more seriously. Poppa Sye wanted to know how was my book coming along? And what’s with all these websites I have? We sat on the sofa talking while I filled him in with all the details and showed him Momma Mia and Melevision. He was so impressed and so proud of me. He kept telling me how smart I am, and how much work all this must take, and how do I do it all? “You are amazing,†he kept telling me. I think my favorite moment was watching his face light up as he looked at all my pages and kept saying “Oh my…. Oh my, look at this! Look at that!†while pointing to pictures and posts. He was beaming.
At 7pm, Jennifer, Chloe, Wilson, showed up with 4 big bags of food. Chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, string beans, grilled vegetables, macaroni and cheese, apple pie, enough to feed a navel base. After some food preparation, Jennifer, Chloe, Wilson, Poppa Sye, JCH and I all sat down for what was the most wonderful last minuet spur of the moment unplanned dinner party in honor of Poppa Sye.
The food was great; the weather was great, even the conversation was excellent. Wilson and Poppa Sye talked about golf (they both have an unbelievable passion for golf). The kids got along with each other (having grown up together you’d think they’d get along more often, but they treat each other like siblings rather than friends, which usually causes more arguments than good times). Jennifer and I made Poppa Sye laugh, hard, out loud, time and time again cracking our sick jokes. Poppa Sye was smiling the whole time. The whole time. Usually at functions like this he wears a scowl on his face. Even though Poppa Sye is a sweetheart, he is a also a very serious man. It brings me such joy to see him smile. Really smile.
When things were all said and done, I walked Poppa Sye down the 4 flights of stairs back to his car. He gave me the biggest hug and thanked me for having such a great night. He even called me twenty minuets later when he got home to tell me one more time just how much he enjoyed the evening and to thank me again.
[PS…Is anyone else? Absolutely Fabulous!]
