As you watched the reel of photographs, you can’t help but notice the constant presence of kids and grandkids by Nelson’s side. Whether he was Nelson, Pa, Poppy, or Dad, he loved us fiercely, as we did him. It’s been said that one’s checkbook and calendar reveal their priorities. Without question, Nelson’s priority was his family. He was a day-in-day-out presence to each of us—not just someone we periodically visited with. Nelson was a man’s man, but the Lord blessed him with three daughters. He taught them to be independent and strong-willed. Nelson required his girls to be ladies—via their mom. At the beginning of each summer, he would tell Mom to remind us to “sit like ladies” in our shorts. Nelson led the maverick life of an over-the-road trucker from the 70s to the 90s. He surely knew the language of the sailors, but was always a gentleman in front of his girls… and never slipped up. He worked very hard to provide for his family, driving coast-to-coast to the point of utter exhaustion. He never complained and took the trucker’s lifestyle in stride.

Dad enjoyed hunting, fishing, and time at the lake. He shared his love of the lake with all of us. He loved to “drag” us up and down the lake and give his sons-in-law the ride of their lives. Even when getting around was difficult for him, he mustered the strength and energy to spend time at the lake with us. We cherish the memories that time provided.

Poppy’s adult life was plagued with numerous serious injuries and illness—again he didn’t complain. The Lord gave us many “bonus” years with Dad. He was blessed with five grandkids, which finally included a boy! His first granddaughter, Amanda, was his constant sidekick. They would drive down the road honking the horn. Dad thought the neighbors would surely say “there goes the crazy old man and the kid.” Eight years later, grandbabies came much more quickly, first with Avery, then Rebekah, then Alex and Rachel. He loved to give bottles to the babies and play with them, stopping just short of diapers. He would have done that too if absolutely necessary! The relationships that formed as babies continued into the toddler and teen years with many hours spent at Gram and Poppy’s house.  Dad made the grandkids a priority and in turn he was a priority to them.  So much so that when Poppy was unable to attend Amanda and Nevan’s wedding reception, the family all met back at Poppy and Gram’s and brought the wedding reception to him.

The bonus years allowed him to see a glimpse of who each of them will be into their adult years. The pain of losing Poppy is tempered by the knowledge that his body is at last whole and free of pain. We know we will see him again one day. Thank you for coming today to show your love and support as we travel this new road.