"Daddy Gene"

Today was a sad day. It was the day of "Daddy Gene's" funeral.

Daddy Gene (pronounced Deddy Gene) wasn't my father but as a kid, he was my secondary dad. Mama Beck and Daddy Gene took care of my brothers and me at their house while my mom and dad were at work. I loved Mama Beck and Daddy Gene. The only thing I remember not liking was the white wicker time out chair! We did everything at Mama Beck and Daddy Gene's house. I'm not sure how Mama Beck managed to survive with both sets of twins (me, danny..bobby and brian) but she did. And she had other kids there, too.

I remember so many special things about Daddy Gene. My mom refused to cut our fingernails. She was always afraid that she was going to cut us so she just didn't do it. Daddy Gene graciously took over this responsibility. I remember that to this day. And honestly, when I cut the boys' nails, I always think about Daddy Gene cutting me and my brother's nails. And I'm sure I will continue to think about this for as long as I do it.

Daddy Gene was usually at work while we were at their house but occasionally he was there and he would always do stuff with us. He could do this amazing trick where he could pull his thumb apart. He also could do magic and pull quarters from our ears. He would also play with us in the front yard and help us find rolly pollys.

Mama Beck and Daddy Gene had a pond in their back yard. We were never allowed to go back there (kids and water are a bad combo - I nearly drowned as a toddler). But sometimes - Daddy Gene would take us down there when he was home. The pond mystified us. Since we weren't allowed to go down there, we made up all kinds of crazy stories about what was in the pond. And honestly, I don't even know if it was a pond. Could have just been a mud hole that seemed so big to us as children.

The service for Daddy Gene today was nice. I couldn't stop crying. It just brought back so many memories. Breakfast in the kitchen. The white wicker chair. Danny getting a perm. Mama Beck playing the piano and singing. Daddy Gene - a quiet Giant. One of the guys speaking said that Daddy Gene had been drafted by the Cleveland Indians. I had no idea. I wonder how many more things that I didn't know about him?

And then there was his mom. She is still alive. And I just can't help but realize that my biggest fear is outliving my children. I just want to push this thought into the back of my mind. I just can't even imagine.

Mama Beck was so sad. Gena and Andy were, too. I was sad for them. Sad for everyone there that he wasn't here anymore. Sad for his grandkids. Sad that they won't see him anymore. I know how painful that is. My heart breaks that Peyton and Nolan will never remember Zan. Peyton was too young and outside of pictures, I doubt he will have memories. Sweet Nolan wasn't even born yet when Zan passed away. I sometimes sit and wonder how much time he would have spent with them. He loved Peyton. It seemed to be all he asked us about. He always wanted to see him. So, I'm sad for his grandkids. I hope the older ones have great memories of Daddy Gene.

We got to see something special today. The speaker said he asked Mama Beck for Gene's Bible. In it was a paper that he had written on in preparation for this Sunday's -Sunday School lesson that he was teaching. His handwriting was large as he couldn't see that great. It was written with a green marker. It was special. In his Bible was also a note from his grandson, Jamison. I wish I could recite what they said but I was crying uncontrollably at this point.

Daddy Gene is with God now. And I am blessed. I know I'll see him again someday. It doesn't make it easier and I am broken for his family but he was a well loved man and I am proud that I got to call him my "Daddy Gene."