inspiration: papaw

It's hard to figure out how to write this post as it isn't about food. It's about my Papaw. I've neglected this blog over the past couple of weeks but have had some of the most memorable and hardest times in my life with my sweet family. My Papaw was the backbone of our family and was one of the most inspirational, caring and Godly men in my life. He cared most for his relationship with God, his wife of almost 63 years, Lola Jean and his large, close-knit family of which I'm blessed to be a part of (5 children, 12 grandchildren and, to date, 16 great grandchildren plus many other family members and friends). We all love and miss him dearly and will continue to cherish such sweet memories in our hearts of our times with him.

He also loved food. He would begin talking about "what's for dinner" about an hour prior to mealtime; I guess I've taken after him with this too. And, above anything else, his first love in the food category was ... catfish. The man could eat catfish and would talk about catfish more than anyone else I've ever known. He loved all types of food, but the way to his heart was with catfish.

So, as I continue to work on recipes and future posts ... and try to figure out how to cook catfish in honor of my Papaw, let me just share something with you written by my cousin, Ben, on this man's legacy. It sums up perfectly how we all feel about him and was given out at his memorial service on Friday, June 14th.

I love you Papaw and will try to see if I can figure out how to make catfish just the way you like it.

From Ben Redmond, 6/12/13

"My Papaw passed away this morning. Two days before his death, I had the opportunity to hold his hand and say goodbye. As I reflect on his life, I am struck by one word.

Legacy.

Papaw died surrounded by his family. His wife tearfully holding his hand and kissing him ... his children taking shifts staying nights by his side ... his grandchildren traveling and rearranging plans to come say goodbye ... people who could not come calling in and letting him hear their voice. In the coming days, there will be a funeral, and that celebration will reveal just how many people were impacted by the life of this Godly man. As I stood at the end of his hospital bed and took all of this in, I had one question:

How?

How did an 84 year old man with no fame or fortune build a legacy like this? How did Papaw have a life that ended so well? I've reflected on this question for the last week, and here is my answer:

He was faithful.

This was a man who just did the right thing ... period. It didn't mater if anyone saw it; it didn't matter if anyone did it with him. He just did what was right. He treated his wife with absolute devotion, love and respect. He loved his children and continued to do so even through dark times. He was the spiritual leader of his family, guiding three generations into faith in Jesus. He called his grandchildren on birthdays and after big events. When one of his children or grandchildren came and visited, he dropped everything to spend time with them. He worked hard and managed his life with integrity and character. He was a man who was faithful to God and to his family.

The result of his faithfulness was profound. During his final hours, the family gathered around his bed and sang his favorite hymns, the songs he held so dear. He left the arms of his faithful wife of 63 years and jumped right into the arms of his faithful Savior. My Papaw died reaping the rewards that come with a legacy of faithfulness.

So here's the challenge for those of us who are left behind:

What you are doing today will determine what you have when it is all said and done. Your legacy isn't built at your deathbed; it is revealed there. So learn from one of the best men I have ever known:

Be faithful. To God ... to your family ... to what you know is right. You won't regret it."