~ one in a million ~

R. Thorpe Jones

December 1917 - July 2010

Grandaddy and GP

One of those people who knew everyone,

and was loved by everyone.

He always had a kind and encouraging word.

Truly a one-in-a-million soul.

~ liv and laurel with their gp ~

I spent several weeks each summer for many years 

at their home in Greensboro.

The visit were always rich and full.

Museums, tennis lesson, swimming.

~ laurel always had a love for her gp ~

My first trip to the Farmers' Market around age 8.

I remember how everyone knew Grandaddy.

And he knew who had the best ham biscuits.

Watching him eat cantaloupe with so much pepper

that tears streamed down his face

and he liked it that way.

~ gp and liv ~

"Do we need to go the store?" 

There was always plenty of good bread,

which he considered a utensil.

He was a WWII veteran

and made strong Navy coffee.

He took pies and rolls to friends

when they lost a loved one.

Kept a bottle of Listerine in the car.

~ laurel and gp ~

Summers at Wrightsville Beach, NC

and the adults ate shrimp lamaze 

until they nearly popped.

The grandkids had cocktail sauce.

Now that I'm an adult,

I enjoy shrimp lamaze too.

And the cocktail sauce stays in the fridge.

~ my favorite picture of lela and gp ~

Bookcases full of books.

Cabinets full of jazz on vinyl.

One minute phone conversations.

Hour long stories in person.

A grandfather who wrote letters.

A man who cared enough to remember everyone's story.

You will be missed greatly

and are loved much.

I'm grateful for having known you

from birth through adulthood

and that my children have known 

and will remember your love.