Grandparents are of paramount importance to a grandchild’s life. The love, wisdom, and legacy that they leave behind are vital! My grandfather, Stallard Williams, was the strongest man I knew! As a child he would tell me that he could pick up a house with his pinky and that intrigued me! He was a hard-working, masculine man who worked with his hands. My grandfather was simply….AMAZING!
Before Stallard Williams became my grandfather, he was a husband to one amazing woman, and a father of eight children: one son and seven daughters! He was a man of God and a leader to his family! My grandfather worked with his hands, and did what was needed to provide for his family! Construction was his life away from home, and he did it well! When he came home, he was all about his family. That was until after he ate his supper, and then he had to “rest his eyes”, but those eyes would pop open when I would say, “Is he sleep”? He was stubborn and sometimes full of pride, but I don’t think I would have it any other way.
In church, he was a deacon. I would watch from the pew as a little girl as he got up and sang! Oh my word, he had such a beautiful voice! I was in awe as a child to see the respect that people had for him. Sometimes I was a little intimidating when I had to ask him a question, but he would look at me with those kind eyes and answer my questions. He was such a quiet and patient man, but he also wouldn’t take your disrespect and nonsense! My grandpa had so much love in him that he welcomed family, and occasionally, friends to come and stay with him. Grandpa was always selfish with his family, he never wanted us to leave home, but when we did he would say to us, “You always have a home with me!” Between my grandma and grandpa they always made their home full of love!
In the wee hours of every morning, I could hear my grandma (the virtuous wife) get up, fix my grandpa breakfast and coffee, and say their little prayer together before he headed off to work. I cannot explain how much of a blessing they were to my family and I! The examples that they set for us were phenomenal! They strived to do what was right, and always pointed us to Christ! The greatest love that I can remember is when I would do something wrong and my grandma would pray over me! I’m telling you, you don’t know what love is until you see Christ’s love! And Christ love surely was reflected from my grandparents!
The love that he had for my grandmother was so precious to see! They were married for sixty-five years! That is such a rare thing to see in today’s society! I would witness their playful banter and only wish that I would find someone like that willing to do life with me! No, their love wasn’t perfect, but they pushed through ever obstacle that came their way, and their love grew stronger because of it! As my grandma was nearing the end of her life, my grandfather’s care for her was impeccable! That was his Jenny, and he claimed the taking care of his wife as his personal duty! When she departed this earth and joined her Father, I asked my grandpa, “Can I get you anything?”, and his reply was, “Can I get my Jenny back?”
These last few days have been mentally draining. To see the rapid decline in my grandfather’s health was too overwhelming. As my family joined together to talk to him, his spirits lifted a tad. We loved on him, sang to him, and cherished our moments together. Yesterday, my grandpa went to be home with the Lord. He is now walking and leaping and praising God! He is no longer in pain! And, he now has his Jenny back! Thank you Father for my family, but especially, I would like to thank my cousin and her children for taking such good care of my grandparents for years. We are truly blessed to have had the best role models, EVER! I love you all, and GBY!
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