Waiting for the Phone Call
It's after midnight here in Scottsville, KY. I can't seem to get to sleep. It's not because of any worries I have for me, but rather the nephews--Jake and Jack.
You see, Jake's best buddy, his Grandaddy, is on death watch at the hospital in Bowling Green. Doctors told the family today that it is just a matter of hours. Since my brother is working, his wife might get the final call at any moment to go be with her father to say a last goodbye. When that call comes, I have the heartbreaking task of going to get the nephews to bring them back to Momma's house.
Jake and Jack were here with Momma and me today at Momma's house when the call came in that Mr. Hinton had taken a turn for the worse. As soon as Jake heard the news, the color drained from his face and the beginnings of tears welled up in his precious eyes.
No finer man has this county produced, I am sure, than Mr. Hinton. As well, he is one of the most handsome men anywhere. And since Jake was born, Mr. Hinton has been the kind of grandfather that I wish all children had the opportunity to have. From fishing to hunting to farming to talking about the weather and just being a gentleman, Mr. Hinton imparted love and devotion and class to Jake. Because of his grandaddy, I believe Jake has developed maturity and compassion and personality far stronger than his age would betray.
Seeing a boy cry from minor injuries, either physical or emotional, never really shakes me up. I think we all agree that those kinds of injuries are fleeting. But knowing that Jake will very soon face a loss, the likes of which he has ever known, is tugging at my heart already. As I mentioned earlier, he is losing a best friend--and a wonderful grandfather, all at once.
I will soon lay my head back on the pillow and pray for peaceful slumber. My prayers will also include Jake and Jack, as well as all their cousins and my sister-in-law and Mrs. Hinton. Times like these must come to pass. But the pain will last much longer than a skinned knee or a lost ballgame. Sometimes pain like this never goes away. But I will be there for the nephews, to help them remember all the good things that Mr. Hinton brought to their life and how a part of him will live on in them forever.
You see, Jake's best buddy, his Grandaddy, is on death watch at the hospital in Bowling Green. Doctors told the family today that it is just a matter of hours. Since my brother is working, his wife might get the final call at any moment to go be with her father to say a last goodbye. When that call comes, I have the heartbreaking task of going to get the nephews to bring them back to Momma's house.
Jake and Jack were here with Momma and me today at Momma's house when the call came in that Mr. Hinton had taken a turn for the worse. As soon as Jake heard the news, the color drained from his face and the beginnings of tears welled up in his precious eyes.
No finer man has this county produced, I am sure, than Mr. Hinton. As well, he is one of the most handsome men anywhere. And since Jake was born, Mr. Hinton has been the kind of grandfather that I wish all children had the opportunity to have. From fishing to hunting to farming to talking about the weather and just being a gentleman, Mr. Hinton imparted love and devotion and class to Jake. Because of his grandaddy, I believe Jake has developed maturity and compassion and personality far stronger than his age would betray.
Seeing a boy cry from minor injuries, either physical or emotional, never really shakes me up. I think we all agree that those kinds of injuries are fleeting. But knowing that Jake will very soon face a loss, the likes of which he has ever known, is tugging at my heart already. As I mentioned earlier, he is losing a best friend--and a wonderful grandfather, all at once.
I will soon lay my head back on the pillow and pray for peaceful slumber. My prayers will also include Jake and Jack, as well as all their cousins and my sister-in-law and Mrs. Hinton. Times like these must come to pass. But the pain will last much longer than a skinned knee or a lost ballgame. Sometimes pain like this never goes away. But I will be there for the nephews, to help them remember all the good things that Mr. Hinton brought to their life and how a part of him will live on in them forever.
posted by Michael Vernon at Tuesday, July 08, 2008
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