“Get Me A Skinny”

After Mama passed away in July 2013, I knew in my heart Daddy would not live much longer. So I decided the time we had would be “Daddy’s Adventures.” I prayed he would feel Joy and peace until God called him home.

Before our “Daddy’s Adventures” begin we would go through the local drive thru of Starbucks. My order was a tall “skinny” cinnamon dolce latte. Daddy could not hear my full order. Though, he did hear the “skinny” part. He would point at the intercom and with his sergeant voice, he would say “Dawn get me a Skinny!”

The first time after Daddy gave me his order, I held my laugh in. I said to the intercom, Mam that is my Daddy and he does not need a “Skinny”.

As long as I can remember Daddy drank hot black Maxwell coffee. Then when he had his first “Skinny”, he said this is the good coffee. I just smiled and prayed in my heart God he deserves every “Skinny” I can give him.

I will never forget the last year I had with Daddy. Our adventures were him talking about his life to almost age 89. It amazed me Daddy never said anything negative at the end. Daddy grew up on a cotton farm, Daddy was one of the oldest of nine kids, Daddy was in two wars, Daddy was a coal miner, Daddy was a welder, Daddy directed traffic at my high school.

Instead Daddy talked about his Mama, who he loved. Granny made fresh biscuits every meal for my Paw-Paw. Daddy talked about his best friend Dan, his only brother. Daddy talked about all of the friends he made. Daddy talked about how he was commissioned to drive two sergeants to another army base in Vietnam at nighttime. He had no directions but he got them there. Daddy talked about his children as if he was still a young father. Daddy talked about Mama and how she took care for him. Daddy talked about his grandchildren and told me, it’s the best time of your life. Daddy talked about God and he was ready to go home with such Blessed Assurance in his voice.

Oh How thankful I am that God gave me these Precious Memories with my Daddy. He passed away in August 2014. I know he enjoys a “Skinny” every morning with Mama while they are watching over me.