Monday, December 05, 2005

Happy Birthday Grandpa!


My grandfather's birthday was on Saturday. He has made it to the blessed age of 87. He lives in North Carolina. He is in Martin County along the Roanoke River. My family has deep roots in that part of the state and Martin County specifically that goes back 150 years. My grandfather is a great source of information and a direct link to the past. He is a joy to talk to because he has become quite the conversationalist in his older years. I have so much to thank him for. He arbitrarily talks about his youth and usually the happiest times of his life. It's funny...he doesn't talk about past loves, but of past cars. I don't care what question I asked he would always mention the car that he owned around that time. I asked him about the time that he asked for my grandmothers hand in marriage in 1945. He responded with, "I had a green 1938 Chevrolet." Well, he did mention that there was another girl that wanted him to marry her, but he wanted my grandmother especially.

He also talks about the best car that he'd ever owned. It was a 1966 Dodge. He said that he paid for it in 8 easy payments from a private owner. I think that he talks about cars so much because he wants to drive again. He hasn't been able to drive since he took a fall and broke his hip. This is very difficult for a man that has spent most of his life behind the wheel. It meant freedom to him and most importantly mobility. Grandpa Bess is truly a blessing. He taught me so much as a man. He even taught me how to tie my first neck tie. I still remember the moment as we both stood in the mirror going through the steps. I remember being so happy and proud when I finally tied it correctly. I can still see remnants of that young boy in the mirror, but he is all grown up now. He is a man now and I owe it all to grandpa.

14 comments:

Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful said...

Awwwwwwwww

Happy Birthday Grampa Bess.

Brea said...

87?! Wow, that is great! Send him my happy birthday wishes!!!

Stephen A. Bess said...

JennelyBean-
Thank you and I hope that all is well.

Brea-
Thank you and thanks for stopping by. I'll just tell grandpa that some lovely young ladies wanted to wish him a happy birthday! He'll like that. ;)

MZPEACH said...

Congratulations!!!1

Stephen A. Bess said...

Thank you GA Peach!

Rose said...

That is such a great tribute to your grad father.

nikki said...

you are so blessed to still have your grandfather around. what a wonderful tribute to him. you should read it to him.

happy birthday grandpa!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Rose-
He is one of the reasons that I am the man that I am....good or bad. :) Thank you.

Nikki-
I should read this to him. He'll probably interrupt me when I get to the part about the cars, but that would be cool. I also feel blessed that he is around. I try to go down there often to see him. We just sit and talk. After a while he'll ask me to go to the ABC to get him one of the little bottles of Early Time Whiskey. :)

Anonymous said...

Mr Bess, thank you for honoring this great Hero. He is a true blessing to all of us.
I love you Tom Best, thank you for all you have done for us:)

Viva Tom Vivaaa! Long live the spirit of no surrender long live!!!!!!!!!

Stephen A. Bess said...

Thank you anon! He truly is for you and me.

Anonymous said...

my grandfather is 92. he is from Italy and I learn by just looking at him. imagine how much history he has in his head. I love him.

Anonymous said...

and hope you get to have your around for many more b days.

Stephen A. Bess said...

What's up tu s.tin-
Yes, they are a wealth of knowledge and history. I've been asking questions since I was a little boy. I've heard some of the stories more than once, but they never cease to amaze me. Thanks for stopping in and welcome.

Anonymous said...

Thank you and I think I will coming to visit on a regular basis (if that is alright) I ask alot of questions too. I made a post about my grandfather-s awhile ago titled " very important and true stories" I want every one to know what an effect they have had on me.

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