Bluegrass for papaw – short contest story
Rebecca’s first year of life was spent in the doting arms of her paternal grandparents as I went back to work. How many pictures of Rebecca with her papaw playing, cooing, and smiling from ear to ear on his lap are immeasurable. She talked more about her papaw than anybody else, he even taught her how to write her name when she got older.
When Rebecca was 4, at a family reunion, some cousins fiddling everything bluegrass introduced her to the violin and the music. Soon she was mastering her own fiddle, playing everything from “Turkey in the Straw” to “Orange Blossom Special”. Her grandparents loved her concerts, both being country dancers, square dancers, and “Grand Marchers” from way back; having their granddaughter learning and playing these songs was a real treat for them.
Years later, papaw suffered a stroke and then became sick beyond healing. When he was in the hospital, she would sweetly butter his roll, hold his hand, and covered all the walls of his room with her artwork. When the time came for his passing, it was on Rebecca’s birthday.
Many told Rebecca how sad that her grandfather died on her birthday. I heard someone say to her, “That sure wasn’t fair was it?” She didn’t say much. I thought about this and remembered how impressed I was when Norman Vincent Peale, the great author/speaker of “The power of positive thinking” and “Expect a Miracle” died on Christmas Eve, some years ago. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, fathers of our country, died on the same day hours apart on the 4th of July, and my great uncle, a priest, died during Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Countless other death date coincidences that are only known by those touched by their timing prove that there is something to my theory.
At her papaw’s funeral, Rebecca played “Lover’s Waltz” by Jay Ungar. At the graveside service, she played “Tennessee Waltz” and as the veterans’ flag was folded and presented to her grandmother,” Faded Love”. She played perfectly despite the events and her young age of 13. As she bowed the last note of Faded Love, I saw her quickly and quietly fall apart. Large “crocodile tears” streamed down her face without a sound. There had been no time to weep before.
Explaining to my daughter that this was not a sad coincidence, I told her that soon after she was born, I went back to work and her grandparents volunteered to baby-sit. What joy and love they had. So, when it came time for him to go to be with Jesus, her special day was the best pick. A glimmer of brightness came over her face as she realized what I had said.
Rebecca’s papaw deeply loved family and his special bond with his granddaughter will stay with them both forever. As our daughter celebrated her 13th year of life, her grandfather celebrated his first day in eternity.
Ebeth Weidner: ..A wife and mom to 3 great kids, living and writing on the coastal side of North Carolina. Contributing on several blogs.
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Blinking back the tears here too. What a beautiful coincidence, thanks for sharing your story.
Beautiful Story! vert touching and healing.
Christina Ruotolo
Freelance Writer & Published Author
So touching! Thanks for sharing this. Although we can’t help but feel some sadness at the death of a loved one, since we’ll miss them, we can rejoice in knowing that they are in a better place.
Be blessed!
I am Chet Weidner’s brother-in-law and although my relationship with him was not as personal as Rebecca’s, my wife and I always regarded him as one of the most loving family men we ever knew, and the best thing that ever happened to my sister.
I didn’t know all the details of Chet’s relationship with his granddaughter, but her Mother’s story certainly fits the mold of this wonderful man.
Helping your child during sad periods of their life is an important parental duty and an honor. The author shows herself to be a caring and effective mother in this situation. I am sure Chet/Papaw agrees.
Hey Elizabeth
What a beautiful story. Her birthday is now a special day to celebrate his life and hers. Loved it.
This was a Wonderful story. I really enjoyed reading it. Although I had to wipe the tears from my eyes to finish it. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story.
Beautiful story!
Beautiful story. Very touching that Rebecca will always remember the caring and loving relationship she had with her Pawpaw, especially on her birthday.
Well that explains so much of the depth behind her music! Lovely story Ebeth. Just lovely!
Oh, the sweet bond between the young and the old. A birthday is a Celebration of ones “birth”/life and so rebecca is blessed to also remember her Papaw’s “life” on the birth day of her life! God is good! The circle of life! Great story- i could hear the music and picture this perfectly graceful little girl and the love between her and papaw.
I loved your story, Elizabeth. It was so sweet and reminded me of my dear mother who died on HER birthday….2006. She would have loved that because it was unusual and she loved to be different. Amazing how YOUR story brought memories of MY life! You have a gift in your writing.
So touching. So…so…touching!
I have long thought about the body of Christ which all Christians are a members. How can we on earth be members and those in Heaven be members except through connectivity?
What connects us? Heart strings. Love.
I love my family who connect me to Love Himself in Heaven. They are tangible effects of Love Himself. Many people cannot understand the concept of a God who loves us without us having some childlike kind of tangible physical form of this God with us on earth. Catholics believe the tangible love in the Sacred Bread and that communion with Him and each other by taking this belief together unites us in the Body of Christ.
Be like children, Jesus told us. Children don’t understand so many things, nor are they required to understand, they just trust, and love. What a merciful way of putting love!
Love Himself draws us to Heaven by every means possible. Someday those heartstrings will keep this girl from choosing a wrong path in life. Her path is of love.
Beautiful!!! This was so sweet and wonderfully written. Absolutely touching.
Thank you mom for writing this beautiful story and sharing it with everyone. I love you!<3
This was a touching story that made me think of my grandparents. It’s a wonderful thing for both the child and the adult to share that kind of closeness.
Boy what we can learn from our elders… and the little ones keep us young!
Thank you for sharing your story so beautifully.
I will always have many, many special memories of the special bond my father had with both of my daughters. He loved them very much. After his stroke, he would burst into tears when we would gather to listen to Rebecca play the violin……. tears of joy! He never cried when I was growing up, but did quite often after his stroke. Rebecca’s violin playing touched him dearly! This story brings back those special memories to me.
awww! so sweet. great job mom!
Elizabeth,
Thank you for writing this! It is absolutely beautiful. There are no coincidences and God’s plan is perfect. Our little son passed away on May 8th and almost a year to the date, God gifted us with a little girl. The little baby that was buried next to our son had passed on our new daughter’s birthday May 14. I had prayed for that baby and her family at the gravesite because she had no flowers and her little place seemed empty. I left a rosary also there on her nameplate. When I went back to visit the gravesite after our Teresa was born, I realized that God not only gave us a little child a year after David passed, but she was born on the passing of little baby Sarah..the one buried next to him. To this day, I believe that little St. David and baby St. Sarah prayed that Danny and I might have Teresa … I believe it with all my heart and God answered that prayer. Good luck on this..you are a wonderful writer!
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing Elizabeth.
A moving account, thanks for sharing it.
This is obviously about a special time in a special persons’ life. Great story!
Wow, why aren’t more people reading this touching story!!?? THanks for the sharing, it is a beautiful way of interpreting this situation.
My best regard for a great future in writing!
Ebeths words are enough for most of us to live by…I need not say more.
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