Grandpa

Today we buried a great man. A husband, a father of 6, a grandfather of 20 and a great grandfather of 30. Richard Lathrom touched so many lives. I knew him for a short 10 years, but have many fond memories. We danced together at my wedding. I will never forget watching him eat cornbread like it was candy. First, seconds and even thirds. Heck, I think he even ate it instead of dessert. And of course, watching him hold Mary in his lap when she was a few months old. You know, when I was growing up, I remember seeing funeral processions on the street and getting impatient having to wait for them to pass. I always hoped the line was short. Today, the line was long...very long. And it dawned on me, I shouldn't view it as a hinderance on my time...my busy schedule. All those people are mourning the loss of someone they loved and today, I was one of those people. You were well loved, Grandpa Lathrom and you will be missed dearly. Goodbye.