I thought I’d share an old post about Pap with you today. The last 24 hours have been mighty hard him. As I write this I’m sitting in his room on the Cardiac Unit of Emory University Hospital. If you’re a praying person say a quick prayer for him-we’d all greatly appreciate it.

Orginally published on April 29, 2009 here on the Blind Pig.

Pap's school picture

Pap and his buddies found much mischief to get into when they were kids. Most of the time no harm was done.

One Sunday afternoon, the group of boys were up on the mountain-enjoying one of their favorite pastimes-rolling rocks off the side of the mountain. They would push or pry the rocks until they began rolling down the mountainside-contests usually ensued as they bet on whose rock would roll the greatest distance.

Pap and his buddies came across a huge rock-one of the biggest they had seen in the area. They picked up sticks and tried to dislodge the rock-Pap said they gave up more than once-but each time one of them would pick up their stick and try again. After a good while of pushing and prying the rock finally came loose from the mountain and started rolling-gaining speed as it went. There was a shell of an old Chestnut tree in it’s path-the rock just splintered the tree into matchsticks and kept on going until it went out of sight. Pap said he’d never forget the sound the big rock made tearing through the woods like a bulldozer.

When Pap arrived home from school on Monday afternoon-he noticed a neighbor man standing in the yard with his father. As Pap walked up the path they called for him to join their conversation. Pap’s father asked him “Jerry, Mr. Anderson tells me a big rock tore down his fence, flattened his corn corn crib and almost hit his house-do you know anything about it?” Pap said he couldn’t believe the rock had traveled that far-over a mile-but he knew it had to be the same rock-so he fessed up to pushing the rock off the mountain. His father said he’d have to pay for the fence and the material to build the corn crib back-but Mr. Anderson interrupted and said “Now I hell-I don’t want no money but they can sure fix my fence and help rebuild the corn crib.”

Pap was shocked by the destruction when he went to help Mr. Anderson. The rock had come off a bank about head high-left a huge hole in the ground-rolled over the fence-through the corn crib and stopped just short of the house. Pap was sure glad no one was in the yard when the big rock plowed through.

The Anderson’s never did move the rock. Pap said the last time he was by there-the big rock was sitting just were it landed all those years ago.

I was a scaredy cat as a kid (actually I still am)-I don’t remember doing anything really dangerous-Do you?

Tipper

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50 Comments

  1. Good morning Tipper,
    I guess I’m a few days behind on your daily posts. I love it that you share so many interesting, educational, and wonderful stories with all of us out here. All of them make me feel like I’m one of the family. I am so very sorry to hear that “Pap” is going through this setback right now … I know that this must have you all worried. Tipper, I am a prayer warrior, and you can be sure that when I go into my prayer closet I will lift him up to the Lord … and also ask Him to comfort all of you. Make no mistake, Pap is in the loving hands of Abba Father, He is in control, and nothing will happen without God’s permission. Have a great day!

  2. Tipper,
    I love the ‘big rock’ story, and I’ve been thinking of you and your Pap a lot, and prayers sent, as well, along with the others. I trust he will be ‘right as rain’ real soon!

  3. Forgot to say….I believe many times God will give each of us a pop test just so he can check to see if our faith is still in good working order. I bet you will pass yours with flying colors and be rewarded for it, I just know it.
    Bradley

  4. Tipper,
    Our computer has been down with a virus And I didn’t know; Just got it purged. It will be O.K. Tipper. Pap will be O.K. “Jesus cares, his heart is touched by our grief.” You and your family are in our prayers.
    Bradley

  5. tipper my thoughts and prayers are with you and pap.. may the good Lord guide the doctors in his recovery. i love the story and to see that rock, must bring back so many memories.. and remind us all . that we were children and had lessons to learn.. and what a way to always remember.. by seeing that rock.. sending big ladybug hugs to you all… lynn

  6. As the prayers flow, you will feel the Lord with you. There is something so special about Pap, and may God bless and keep him through this. In Jesus’ Name.

  7. Heart problems are a scary business, but I’ve seen first hand the amazing things medical science can do! Pap & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.

  8. The good Lord is holding Pap and all of you in the palms of His ever protective Hands.
    And probably the most dangerous thing I ever did (and more than once) was jump off the roof of the garage…
    Hugs…
    Helen

  9. Tipper, Norma and I will for sure be in prayer for Pap and you and your family . In Christ Jesus, Larry Proffitt

  10. Oh my, I do hope everything turns out alright with your Pap. I really don’t remember doing to much of anything dangerous, but I probably did. I know I sped a bit, but not the 125 mph someone else did. Again my thoughts are with you and your family.
    Sheryl

  11. Tipper,
    I sure hope and pray things will go well with Pap. I know how hard it is for the family and the patient being in the hospital. We’ve stayed many nights with loved ones in hospitals. The nights get mighty long.
    You, Pap, and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  12. Surely will be praying for Pap and your family during this time of trial.
    To Pap : While you are under some fine doctors’ care, you are most importantly in the Master’s care. He is in the Healing and Miracle business !
    Since you have given peace and joy and comfort to all of us who have listened to your beautiful mountain music…may you be returned comfort and peace for every note you have sung !!

  13. Tipper,
    Soft as the voice of an angel,
    Breathing a lesson unheard,
    Hope with a gentle persuasion
    Whispers her comforting word:
    Wait till the darkness is over,
    Wait till the tempest is done,
    Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
    After the shower is gone.
    ….Whispering Hope…
    Tell Pap that we need him here to sing and play for us and we hope and pray he makes a fast recovery..
    I would love for Pap and Paul to sing Whispering Hope for us when he is well…
    Prayers are being sent up for Pap, you and your family…
    Thanks Tipper

  14. Consider the prayers for your Pap AND for you done! I lived in Marietta, GA for almost 23 years and know that Emory is one of the best hospitals in the country. You’re in great hands!
    Did many a foolish thing in my youth (some involve that car I wrote about yesterday – like going 125 on US 19 going home from college one weekend), but luckily never damaged anyone else’s place – not that there wasn’t a heck of a lot of luck involved.

  15. Praying for healing and comfort, but also for encouragement and assurance that God is right there with you – holding you all in the palm of His hand.

  16. Loved the story of Pap, that he had the determination to roll that rock and the honesty to confess to doing it. Tell him that he has a lot of people praying for him and thinking of him.

  17. I was a big chicken but my brothers & their friends did this kind of stuff. Anointed my brother with mulberry juice & toted him home –nearly scared Mama to death. Set a field on fire on a windy day & only the Lord’s help saved the day. Played in pig pen & got chased by the huge sow–I saw this & it was really hilarious. My brother was tall & skinny & his legs were really jacknifing.
    They bicycled in the mule pasture & Old Roady got after this same brother. He was pedaling madly & yelling “Gee, Roady, Haw, Roady”.
    They still love to scare people to death. One crawled around the van in total darkness & scared his wife almost to death. My own son stuffed his Freddy Kruger mask, backlit it & put it in Mimi’s bed when she was visiting us. I tell them they’re gonna do it to someone who has a big stick in their hand someday.
    Tipper, my husband has a family history of heart disease. It took his daddy & he had an attack himself at 48. I understand how hard it is to wait at the hospital. I love to hear about Pap & his adventures & will be praying for him & all of yall.
    Wanda

  18. God is still in control, and He does hear our fervent prayers. Will be sending up some kneemail for Pap. I enjoyed this story about one of Pap’s many adventures, btw, he sure was attractive, and still is a handsome fellow.

  19. Hey Tipper Jerry is in my prayers he means the world to me and he is a great man one of the best I have ever known. I loved the story it was great. You and your family are in my prayers I know this has to be hard on you to.

  20. That’s a great story, I’d love to see a picture of that rock.
    Your family is in my prayers. i hope Pap gets well soon.
    Stacey

  21. No! No! I never did such a thing! I never even got to hike to the Devil’s Post Office in the Shewbird Mountain. The Shewbird would have been a fine mountain to roll a stone down! Unfortunantly the mountain has been split in two by blasting by the big guys!
    Sitting beside your PAP makes me remember my time with my daddy up at Hiwassee Hospital. I hope things go well for you all!
    Eva Nell

  22. Tipper,
    My prayers are certainly with Pap
    and all of you right now. Emory is
    probably the best place in the country for heart problems. My
    2nd oldest brother got a speedy
    recovery from his heart surgery
    and they took excellent care of him. As a friend and one of your
    many acorns, I wanted you to feel
    the love we share. Get well Pap
    and hurry home…Ken

  23. I am holding healing thoughts for Pap; may you all have strength during this time.
    I love the fact that the rock is still in the yard!

  24. Big prayers for your Pap. I remember setting the woods on fire with my brother as we lit those plastic army men. They made the wierdest sound when the plastic would melt off and fall to the ground, and set the woods on fire!

  25. Tell that old Marine that the word has gone out and there are Jarheads in “every clime and place” praying for him today! Tell him he’s got the duty tonight and watch him come out of that bed! Hang in there Tipper!

  26. Get well soon Pap! You are at a great hospital. Sending prayers. Hope you get to come home soon and entertain us with more of your great music.

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