Papaw's Poem

This poem I wrote for my grandfather.. You see he was an amazing man.. Very quiet, but a heart of gold.. Everyone in the little town in West Virginia where he lived respected and loved him.. never an ill word spoken of him.. he was always there for anyone who needed him. When he married my grandmother he vowed to take care of her till her dying day..

When I was very young she was diagnosed with Alzhiemers.. They never told me.. But one day we were shopping at a store in Morgantown, W.Va. called Hills.. the chain is no longer open. We had just left when papaw realized grandma had left her purse at the counter.. now to most this would see like no big deal.. but to me it was a very big deal.. for anyone who ever knew my grandmother she never did anything like this and it made a big impact on me and I started watching and listening and figured things out. She lived at the house for many years.. growing worse as time went by.. becoming a shell of the woman I once knew. Even at time being cruel in words... Which was not her at all. If anyone has ever been around anyone with Alzhiemers you know how hard it is to watch someone you love go through this and not be able to help

them Early on she would get so upset because she knew something was wrong.. no one can imagine what must go on inside their minds. It broke my heart.. but I never.. ever stopped loving her.. I think I loved her even more.

One day she feel and broke her hip and had to be put into a nursing home there was no way my papaw and uncle could take care of her in the old house they lived in. It was a very good nursing home and they took good care of her. My Papaw was there everyday with her.. Sitting, Talking.. letting her know he was there the best way he could. Sometime I think some part of her knew.. she was trapped in her own mind but when I would visit she would hold onto me and look at me.. and I did not see a blank slate there I seen pure emotion. Grandma live more then 20 years with this disease.. including getting Parkinsons Disease as well. Papaw was there day after day.. till her time had come and she passed away.

Some time before this I had a dream.. this dream was of my grandmother.. she was in my room with an angel.. she was smiling and dancing and so full of life.. It was an amazing dream and brought much peace to my soul when her time came.

My Papaw kept his vow to her and took care of her.. spent ever cent he had for her.. and she passed away after a long life. When we all where there for the funeral... people where bring things to the house.. it was very touching. I was alone with papaw in the living room.. he reached into an old bible and gave me a two dollar bill.. he had one for each of us grandkids. it means the world to me. I found out later I was the only one he gave it directly to. The others received theirs through family. I knew at that time my grandfather knew.. He done all he set out to do.. he had taken care of his wife.. his children where well, his grandchildren knew they were loved. Even was able to see two of his Great grandchildren. His life was complete and he was ready to go. Him and his wife lived over 90 years on this earth and time was taken aways from him because of the Alzhiemers. It was now time to be with his wife again. Not even a month and a half after Grandma died.. Papaw passed away.

This is why I wrote this poem and why this man means so much to me.

The photo is my Grandma and Papaw.. and yes.. that little one in front is me..

Papaw was a coal miner
Worked hard for every dime he made
Deep in the West Virginia hills
Is where he spent most of his days

He would come home every night
So tired and so weak
But he always made time
To be with his family

Never a cruel word spoken
Never a hand rose in vain
Stood up for injustice
When someone could not defend themselves from pain

The hour glass of time
Trickled slowly by
All his children grew up
Right before his eyes

He watched feeling sad, yet proud
As each child made theyÂ’re way into the world
Concerned about their lives
Trusting god they would be alright

Then times got dark
And grandmaÂ’s health declined
Papaw vowed to take care of her
Till god called her for judgment time

When grandma passed away
Papaw never broke his vow till her dying day
He looked up to the sky
And said “She’s in your hands now and cried”

Papaw knew his job was done
He looked up and said “My time has come
IÂ’ve lived a long fulfilling life
But now it’s time to be with my loving wife”

Papaw was a coal miner
Worked hard all his life
He will live on forever
In our hearts till the end of time

©Kristal

Dedicated to my papaw
Jesse Reed King
I love you and Miss you