I Remember Papa Melva
"Ooooweee !! You're going to be as big as A'nt Jessica after 'while. Look at you! You'll soon have to turn side-ways to get through that door, just like A'nt Jessica! Lee, what is she eating? Ooooweee !! Look at her thighs. I guess she's two sizes bigger...."

These are Papa's words, addressed to me, his middle namesake - Melva (from Melvin)! I'm not sure of the occasion which prompted this rather embarrassing statement afrom a ver WISE and frank Grandfather. I am not sure if I ever knew who "A'nt Jessica" was (or is); I only knew that she must have been enormous in size and that I would surely be just like her if I didn't watch out! While the sords were initially embarrassing, I knew that Papa did not intend to hurt me. His words provided a spark of encouragement, thus, my constant care at counting calories. I know that Papa is still watching, and I don't intend for him to see me walking through the door sideways!

I remember Papa fondly in a variety of ways. Words that best capture this variety are: WONDERFUL, WISE and WITTY! He was wonderful to be around while growing up because he took the time to talk to the children. We watched him whittle and listened to him hum between descriptive words of wit and wisdom. We listened to his powerful prayers (sometimes with one eye opened) mornings, nights, and at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. We dared not be caught moving, lest his prayers not include us (we thought)! We knew that Papa cared about us and this was important. The one concern that I had was why he drank garlic water each morning? Not only do I know now, but I even do it myself!

Wit and wisdom "embraced each other" at unexpected moments! There was the times, for instance, when the "peachtree switch" were ready for his us on Jr, Fred, and me for something that we should not have done (of course). With fear and trembling, we stood before him, only to receive a lecture on the proper method of raising peach trees. Between the three of us, we must have talked him out of ruining the poor limb for disciplinary purposes. We learned that day to behave ourselves so that peach trees could grow fruit and be used for finding water underground to determine places where wells could be dug. (Aha, who else remembers that?)

I thank God for Papa and for his spirit that lives on among us. It occurred to me a few years ago that Pap's name is divided between two, born closely together - Joseph (Frederick) and Melva (Ruby), so maybe he is "omnipresent" when we are around (smile)!! It is not difficult to "see" Papa in each of the uncles, and many of the offsprings, including my own: "wonderful, wise, and witty."