Today I became a grandfather.
My Pop.
Fortunately for me I had two great examples of how grandfather’s should be. My Pop was a very strong man of faith and my Pappaw was an amazing man who not only helped mold my life, but also was loved by the community.
When I found out my daughter, Ashlee, was pregnant, one of the first things I did was tell her that I wanted to be called Pappaw. It was my way of honoring the man who meant so much to me growing up.
My Pappaw and me.
It didn’t bother me at all that I was going to be a grandfather. Over the past nine months I embraced that I was going to be a Pappaw and have been excited about being called that.
Even though I had been preparing for nine months, the reality of it didn’t officially hit me until today, when Brooklynn Rebecca was welcomed into the world at 8:36 a.m. EST, weighing 8 lbs., 10 oz., and 21 inches long.
I had kissed Tammy goodbye before heading out the door to work. As I walked through the garage I mumbled to myself, “I’m a Pappaw.”
Tears filled my eyes as thoughts of how much my grandfathers meant to me and how happy I was to be carrying on their traditions.
I ran back inside, hugged and kissed Tammy but was so choked up that it took me a few seconds before I could tell her why I was fighting back tears.
Me: I’m a Pappaw.
Tammy smiled at me and I almost lost it again.
Even though Ashlee, Billy and Brooklynn are in North Carolina and I may not get to see them as much as I saw my grandparents, I know that I have my work cut out for me and some really big shoes to fill.
My first granddaughter, Brooklynn Rebecca.
Looks like she’s already got her belly button pierced. She gets that from her Momma.
Chillin like a villain (she gets that from her Daddy).
The Life of J-Wo 
Congratulations, Pappaw! Hope everyone’s happy and healthy! 🙂
Awe, congratulations Pappaw! I’m sure you’ll do a great job filling those shoes!
Thanks… I sure hope I do. Tammy’s heading to see her tomorrow. I prolly won’t see her til Christmas. 😦
It will be an awesome Christmas, that’s for sure.
I can’t wait to hear the stories as the years go on… welcome to your new chapter – may you serve your Pappaw well!
If she has half as many stories about me as I do about mine then I’ll have done a good job.
Many blessing! Pappaw! Grandparents are a true gift. Without my Grams I could have never become the person I am today! Congratulations!!!
Thanks… I’m very excited and I can only hope that I have that much of an influence on her life too.
Congrats! What a lucky girl to have you as her Pappaw!
Thanks… While I can’t wait to meet her, she’s still a little too small for me to do much with yet. HAHA…
You’re a Pappaw. I love it darlin’. Congratulations to all of you…
Thank you… Kinda crazy to think that I’m a Pappaw huh?
Um yeah, because you act like such a little kid. Giggle.
Biggest Congrats to you and your family!! Good times ahead!
This brought tears to my eyes! Can’t believe you’re a pappaw. *smh* I think I’m older than you…but no one better call me grandma for at LEAST 5 more years. (My oldest is only 15.)
Congrats!
Thank you.
Just the thought of me being a Pappaw literally brought tears to my eyes because of how much my Pappaw meant to me.
And yeah, I agree with you in that you definitely shouldn’t be called a grandma for a while. That just gives you time to figure out what you want them to call you. HAHA…
Congratulations Pappaw!!!!
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