A Manly Kinda Man

Even though Daddy was one of the most loving and kind person I have ever known, he was also a "Manly Man." Yes, he was sensitive to the working of the Lord, to his kids and wife and to everyone and everything around him. Yes, he had empathy for those in need. He would cry when the Lord moved him and he wasn't ashamed of showing his love.

But, there were some things that he was just a man about...

For instance, one time Shanna and I had some friends over. All of us girls were standing around near the front door, when we heard a thump - then several more in rapid succession. We looked towards the stairwell and noticed Daddy bumping down the stairs on his rear. No, he didn't plan it. Somehow, he lost his footing (I'm willing to bet one of us kids left something on the stair - probably Ryan :) and fell down the steps.

Shanna and I rushed over to check on him. By the time we got there, Daddy had jumped up and was assuring us he was alright. We went on to the living room, thinking all was well. While Daddy was bent over in half, hands on his knees, leaning on the door for support! He later told us that was one of the most painful experiences! But, there was no way that he would have shown that pain and discomfort to a bunch of girls, not even his own kids who thought (and still do) of him as a super hero.

Another case of his macho personality - One Sunday at church, dad decided to move the coke machine (by himself, which he clearly shouldn't have done). Of course, the machine fell on him. He was pinned in the doorway of the secretary's office at Claiborne A/G. Someone had to get on either end. Since he was blocking the entrance, one of the men in the church had to climb over the coke machine (while he was under it) and help lift it off of him.

He preached that Sunday morning, despite the pain in his leg. I think he sat on a stool and that was his only concession. He went through the whole week with discomfort. Finally on Saturday, mom made him go to the doctor. His leg was broken! He went the whole week on a broken leg...NO pain medication!

Dad even taught Ryan how to be manly and macho. He was coaching Ryan's baseball team when Ryan got hit by a baseball. He yelled at Ryan to keep going, saying "No Pain, No gain." Of course, all the women, mom included were appalled. Mom called Ryan to the fence...I can't remember for sure where Ryan was hit - either between the legs or in the nose. All I remember was that he was hurt pretty badly. Dad had no clue that he had been hit in a sensitive area :)

As dad became more and more sick, his pride took a beating at having to take pain medications and admit when he felt poorly or was tired. But, he would push himself and push himself until he could barely function. He continued to do everything he needed to do, rarely if ever asking for help.

He was, after all, a man's man.