Day Sixteen: Remembering Papa

When you are sitting back thinking of times past, and those that have made deep impressions on your life, who comes to mind? If you're like me, several people do. Family, friends, and teachers have all made their marks on our lives. They don't have to share our bloodlines to hold our hearts.

My late father-in-law was Robert Bruce McClendon, Jr. I called him "Papa". Papa Bruce would be 76 years old now. At this point, he has been dead almost 24 years. It seems an entire lifetime ago, and in effect, it was. His.

I met him when I was about 16 years old. He had a great smile and one couldn’t help but smile along with him. He had a heart of gold, but woe be unto you if you set off his temper. He could get LOUD! I got him mad a few times as I recall. Sometimes I made him laugh, and one time I even managed to embarrass him. I’ll save that story for another day.

I miss Papa, and I will always love him. I was blessed to have had him in my life for the all-too-short time that I did.

16. Heavenly Father, thank you for a wonderful father-in-law, one that loved me and treated me as his own.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are