CLEOEJACKSONIII.COM
  • My Home Page
  • My Life and Ministry
  • My Ongoing Thoughts
  • My Favorite Bible Verses
  • My Favorite Stories
  • My Favorite Jokes
  • My Favorite Quotations
  • My Favorite Web Links
  • My Contact Info
"Helping Others Communicate"

FILLING BIG SHOES

4/23/2013

 
As a child, I remember with fondness putting on my grandfather’s boots out on the back porch of his old farm house, and then running, or else attempting to run, all over the backyard in them.  I must have looked somewhat foolish doing so.  But I must have also brought a lot of joy to his heart, for he no doubt watched me and laughed at my behavior.  I spent most of my childhood happily traipsing along behind him as he made his endless rounds on the farm.

And then, 28 years ago this week, my life was changed forever.  On April 22, 1975, my grandfather, Cleo Jackson, passed away suddenly.   He was 64 years of age, and had suffered a heart attack.   The reason it hurt me so badly was because we were so close in our relationship, at least by today’s standards.  I would easily see him four or five times a week, even as my teen years unfolded.  In fact, the evening before he passed away, he was at our house most of the afternoon and evening.
 
Obviously, each year around this date, I think of him.  And as I do, I thank God for his impact on my life.  Being only 13 when he died, I had no way of fully appreciating the influence he had on me.   Now, at age 51, I am a bit more qualified to assess that.  This much I can say.  He was not an educated man, as he only had a third grade education.  Yet, in retrospect, I can now see that he taught me so much more than I ever realized! 

It is said that values are more often caught by children than they are taught to children.  That being the case, I will forever be in debt to my grandfather for what all he threw at me!  Clearly, I bear his spiritual, moral, and ethical stamps on my soul, my heart, and my life; and I do all of this proudly.  

My fervent prayer is that God will give me the ability to fill his shoes.   With each passing day, I see not only how difficult, but also how vital, that task truly is!

Because of these things, I also take time today to honor my grandfather today.  I have chosen to do so by posting a wonderful poem in his memory - one written by Mr. James M. Carr and titled Treasure Remembered.  I hope you enjoy it.
 
TREASURE REMEMBERED 
 

For all the stories that were never to be told,
Back to a time when I was a boy so long ago,

I knew a man whose kindness touched the hearts of many,
And he would often be the first to lend you his last penny,

Yes his heart was pure gold forged from out of love,
Right from the hands of the Almighty who sits high above,

There were times I must of drove him crazy as if he were my toy,
With all my “want to’s” and “why not’s” when I was a boy,

He loved and cared for all those that he knew,
His family, friends and most of all you,

Many happy memories I carry within my heart,
Vowed never to forget and never to be apart,

As a boy I would look up to this man with great awe, 

For you see he was my friend and he is my Grandpa.

SOURCE: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/treas
ure-remembered#ixzz2RIawyYSa
 
Cf. also:  www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

Comments are closed.

    Cleo E. Jackson, III

    Occasionally I will add
    a few thoughts to my blog. If you find them inspirational, I will be
    honored.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All