A Story Not Forgotten - Happy Birthday Billy

Sunday - July 12, 2009

I'm sure Pappaw is telling Billy "his" story!

One of my favorite pictures of Billy!

Pappaw with two of his buddies - Billy and Bobby! Today is a special day for one of them - Happy Birthday Billy!

There are many dates we will always remember where we were and what we were doing because of an event that took place and impacted our lives in some way or another. Most of my generation and older will remember where we were on November 22, 1963; November 14, 1970; and September 11, 2001. All three were dates that I know exactly where I was what happened on that particular date.

November 22, 1963 was the day President Kennedy was assassinated, and I was in my 8th grade science class at West Junior High School. On November 14, 1970, the day the Marshall football team's plane crashed, I was at home preparing a cheese and crackers tray for my parents and their friends. I was trying to teach eighth graders on 9/11 when the terrorist attacked America on our soil! These were all horrendous situations and brought much sadness to me and most of America.

Pappaw was never far away!!!!

There is a story that was told to my nephew Billy by Dad for over 25 years. By the time Billy was old enough to understand, Dad always told him the story of where he was when Billy was born!!! Dad would call him and say, "Billy, do you know where I was xxxx number of years ago?" Billy loved hearing that story - he loved hearing his Pappaw tell him that story year after year. 2006 was a tough year for Billy on his birthday - it was the first year Pappaw wasn't here to tell him the story!!! So, since today is Billy's birthday, I am going to tell Dad's story - just for you Billy!!!! Happy birthday from us all!!!!!!

The telephone rings: Ring, Ring
Billy answers the phone because he knows who is calling:
Billy: "Hello."
Pappaw : "Happy Birthday Billy."
B: "Thanks Pappaw!" (with a giggle)
P: " Do you know where I was (31) years ago?"
B: "Where?" (even though Billy knew where - he always asked Pappaw "where?")
P: "I was at the head of Lick Creek working. Your Mom and Dad, along with Mammaw and Sue were at St Mary's waiting on you to be born. I had to work that day. I was working on two-way radio antennas."
B: "Oh."
P: " I had to radio the shop to get updates about you. It was before we all had cell phones. They would call the shop, and the secretary would call me on the radio to give me updates."
B: "hmmmm."
P: " Your Mom went to the hospital at 8:00, and I thought you would be born by noon!"
"My boss, Morris Cunningham, radioed me and told me I needed to get back because I was about to get a grandson!"
B: "But I wasn't born by noon was I?"
P: " No, you weren't born until later that night. But I called every hour to find out if you were here or not!"

B: "Sorry Pappaw."
P: "That's okay Billy, you were worth the long wait. I was able to finish my job on Lick Creek, and then I was able to come home and wait on you. I was really glad when I got the phone call from Mammaw!"
B: " Pappaw . . . "
P: "hmmm. . . "
B: " I love you."
P: "I love you too."

There was no glamorous story, and it may have varied over the years, but Billy always waited for that call or visit from Pappaw with that question of "Do you know where I was . . . ". He loved hearing Pappaw tell him where he was. The story telling may have taken only a minute, but the memories of it will last a life time!!!!

Billy with his Aunt who loves him TWO bushels and a peck and a Hug around the neck!!!!

Billy all decked out back in June 2006!!!!


Billy and Jamie - May 2009

Billy, I know the story may not be exactly as Pappaw would say it, but you know we all love you and wish you a Happy Birthday!!!!!