Tipper and Pap
Today makes seven years since Pap last walked on this ole earth. Although the grief I feel for losing him isn’t near as troubling as it was when he first died I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still miss him terribly.
Pap was my go to person when I needed advice. I still wish I could walk down the hill or pick up the phone and ask him about everything from how to get my garden to do better to what he thinks about the state of our world.
When I was a teenager I’d even call Pap and pester him at work when I had a question.
One day not long after I first started driving I called to tell him I thought something was wrong with my car.
I was driving home and when I went around a steep curve not too far from here my car sort of slid around the curve.
Pap patiently told me there wasn’t nothing wrong with the car but my driving could definitely be improved 🙂
Jerry Marshall Wilson was a wise man, but more than that he was a just and good man who tried his dead level best to do what God would have him do. As I look back over his life I can see there were hard times sprinkled throughout the years, yet he kept his eye on the Lord, protected his family, and shared an encouraging word with every person who passed his way.
Last night’s video: Peaceful Spring Day in the Garden – Flowers & Mountain Creek.
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It can be so tough, hitting the milestone of yet another year without them. April 20th is my dad’s “anniversary” and this year marked 14 years. He was the one relative who always told me the truth, and who seemed to actually see me for who I am instead of the assigned role I’d been given in the family. Like you, I still miss my dad terribly every day, no matter how much time passes.
I also have a funny driving story…my dad went with me to take my written driver’s test. In my home state, you can take the test up to 3 times on the same day. Well, I failed it the first two times, and before I started the third test my dad said, “If you fail this one, you’re walking home.” lol! He was serious! (Needless to say, the third time was a charm).
God bless you, and I hope there were moments on your dad’s anniversary when you felt comforted.
You’ll see him again. 🙂
By the number of responses I see to the video about losing your Pap, it’s easy to see that your courage in sharing your feelings of loss and your tears has touched so many hearts and stirred a lot of memories too! Most of us think no one wants to hear such stories and you’ve proved that to be untrue! Bless you!!
Thank you for sharing with us. I watched your YouTube video on this last night. My dad passed away August 14, 2009, so this year will be 14 years. He was 62 years old. I understand what you mean when you say sometimes it feels like yesterday and other days, it seems like forever ago. I still dream about him a lot. In fact, I dreamt of him night before last. I appreciate your sharing the video you made to go along with the beautiful song that Katie wrote. It really touched my heart. It is so amazing how our God orchestrates things.
Katie’s song is beautiful. I felt as if l was about to see a great movie like they use to make. I feel honored that you shared it with your readers. Thank you.
What a wonderful story to share. I also appreciated your YouTube video about your dad being gone 7 years.. while I’m very thankful to still have my parents and a step mom too, I have lost my grandma and even though it’s been 16 years now she’s gone, I still have moments of sadness. My husband recently lost his dad just 3 years ago and it’s been really hard on him. I understood the family chair as both my grandma and my husband’s dad had their own chair. I never got to say goodbye or see my grandma when she passed I never got to step back in her house again, BUT…I did get an amazing gift besides a ton of memories is a coffee table that’s older than my mom that I was obsessed with all my childhood and I always told my grandma can I please have this when you pass, and of course she’d say yes, because I am the only grandchild..I never thought she would keep it, or that it would last because it was old and it wasn’t taken care of well and it had a glass top. I did get it, I still have it, I see it every single day, it stands out in my living room because it’s not at all my taste or style in my home, and people have asked why it’s there because it just doesn’t fit color decor stands out like a sore thumb, but I don’t care I’m so glad Tipper to find your channel and now your blog..because in 1989 my family moved to N E Georgia, near Helen and to learn more about Appalachia is wonderful and because you are only a couple years younger, we have so many similar things in common
You and I are both fortunate that we have wonderful memories of our fathers. I feel so blessed to be able to say that! I know you do, too. On June 20th, it will be seven years since my father passed to be with the Lord. I’m so very grateful I’ll get to spend eternity with him! Like you, in these days and times, I just want to talk to him about what’s going on. I miss that.
Thank you for sharing, and for bringing some sweet memories to mind about my own much-missed father. God bless you!
Oh…and the Red Man peeking out of his pocket reminds me of my (maternal) grandfather…he was never without that! LOL
Tipper, that is a great picture of you and Pap. You look beautiful, so much like Granny when she was young and your girls look like you. I know you still long for Pap. I don’t think we ever fully get over the earthly loss of our loved ones, but time does ease our pain. As believers in Christ our Lord we have the promise to be reunited with them in heaven. Since you know this, I know it gives you comfort and peace. Still we are human and we can’t help but miss them. My mom passed 7 yrs ago in January and my dad passed 22 years this past March. I still miss them very much and some days more than others. I know I’ll see them again, but until then my heart longs to see them again.
Thinking about you and praying for you and the rest of the family. This week especially.
I know that you bought just as much JOY to him as he did to you. I am happy you had each other for as long as you did, tho it must not feel enough. I truly loved this picture. How beautiful and how handsome, but what good folks is the best part!!
What a blessing he must have been to you and your family and that he kept his eye on the Lord. What a wonderful reunion you shall have some day!
I’m glad you had such a good Daddy. Mine left a lot to be desired and I found what was lacking in my dear friend Keith. When Keith lived nearby I could hop on my bike and later hop in my car and go get his advice. His lady Elizabeth was my 2nd Mama (my own had mental problems) I joined 6-8 other kids who had cruddy parents that Keith and Elizabeth looked after, we were “Phantasy Pharm” kids. I remain one of those kids today, 16 years after Elizabeth passed and 13 years after Keith passed
Blessings to you Tipper. We have only one daddy and he is always in our hearts as these beautiful memories. Like yours my dad was always there for me to help guide me in times of uncertainty.
Goodness Tipper! Im teary eyed and have that awful feeling in my stomach, reading this. Im so sorry, I know you miss him. I lost my daddy 30 years ago and I still miss him so much. I feel the same way uou do, wishing I could ask him something, etc. The only way I can describe the feeling I felt when he left this world, and still feel even now, is a feeling of homesickness. Remember when you were little and went to spend the night at grandmas or a cousins and got homesick? Yeah, bad homesick for my daddy. Im so glad you still have granny. Xo
Tipper – My heart goes out to you today as I remember my Daddy. He passed away today 10 years ago and then my sister passed on this exact day 8 years ago. I just called my Momma to tell her I love her and thinking of her and my dad and sister today. Through one of Corie and Katie’s videos I recently watched is where I found out your daddy went to be with the Lord on the same day as mine. Joe Burchfield was the most kindest, most selfless and God fearing man I’ve ever known (besides my husband). I pray you find peace today in knowing you will see him again one day in heaven. And I so look forward to seeing my loved ones there and singing praises to our Lord and Savior.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
God bless you and keep you,
Michelle Burchfield Walker
Alma, Arkansas
Anniversaries of the people we loved & lost are so difficult & sad. I wished I had had a Dad like yours, Tipper. I had a love/hate relationship with my Dad. I loved him, but hated him for physically & mentally abusing my sister, my Mom & me. He did not, however, abuse my brother. When Dad was in the hospital just before he died, his last words to me when I stayed with him daily & told him I loved him was “Well I don’t love you.” It went thought me like a knife. I try to believe he didn’t know what he was saying, but it still hurts me to this day-23 yrs later. So glad you have a loving & supportive family to help you get through this day. Sending you a warm hug from Mississippi.
Cheryl-bless you! So sorry you had to go through such pain.
Pap helped you prepare whether it was obvious or not. With his quiet wisdom, he set the example of a parent who would use wisdom to guide his own children. It is so fortunate when we have parents who guide and prepare us for what looms ahead. This always makes me want to pray for those not so fortunate who must spend their life trying to overcome the damage done by parents who were less than ideal. Growing up, I knew many uncles who also took their nieces and nephews under their wings to help them, and I will never forget any of them. Generations to come will benefit from the wisdom and care Pap gave his children. You show his care in the way you work hard and conduct yourself each and every day. It is called integrity!
Thank you for sharing your memories of Pap with us so often. I feel like I know him from all the stories you’ve shared.
Tipper you were beautiful in that picture. I lost my Dad 7 years ago also. I was a daddy’s girl and I still miss him terribly. Just thinking about how good he was, brings tears to my eyes
We were both blessed with good earthly fathers.
What a wonderful testimony to your dad. By that last paragraph, the way you describe your dad, it seems to me he absolutely lives on in you – as well as in your brothers and daughters – as you all do the same for so many people as you share the beautiful music and your life that he was such a big part of in this blog and in your vlogs! It has been 12 years since my dad (“Deddy”), and in June six years since my oldest brother (56), left for Heaven. Both of them I will never stop missing and have things I want to talk to them about. Dads/husbands/brothers/men like that are surely missed by those who were blessed to know and love(& be loved by) them. On days like this may we be able to repeat Psalm 118:24. May you all smile today remembering all of those blessings in your family.
This makes me cry because my dad chose not to be a dad. He was full of anger and hate. No matter how hard I tried to make him proud and love me, it never worked. My Dad died in 2020. I will never now why he didn’t love me. A friend of mine in Murphy and also a preacher helped me through this by simply saying, “It was him, not you” That I needed to forgive him and move on. He was selfish . Ben Pope is his name and I wonder I you know him. I live in Missouri. You have a blessed life.
Kathy-I do know Ben and he is right on the money! It was your daddy not you!! I’m sorry he failed you.
I know how your heart hurts. Blessings for you all
So terribly sorry that you had to suffer thru that. Daddy thot my youngest full sister was not his. But she was and still is, my full baby sister. And she carries ALL family similarities still. Before Dad died, she made a special trip up. When she walked into the room, his eyes lit up so both of us had no doubt of his mind set. He went to sleep in the Lord, 2 days later.
Not sure why some folk have such a closed mind & heart. Possibly a chemical brain damage or a fall no body knew about?
What wonderful thoughts you have of your dad Tipper and you looked like a movie star. Also this picture of you on Blind Pig in the Acorn you still look like a movie star. My parents are gone 9 years in September on the 24. 2014, 10:30 a.m. Do I miss them, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t there are a few good memories and laughs that I still hold on tightly to. Then others I’d rather leave behind. But I guess if it wasn’t up to God and myself I wouldn’t be alive today. They contributed as well. My Grandmother is the one I miss terribly.
What a beautiful picture of you and Pap! There is just something us daughters can’t explain about losing our dads. Mine has been gone twenty-six years and there aren’t many days what I don’t think about him especially this time of the year as he loved the outdoors and gardening so much. I thank the Lord for a good daddy and even though time eases the pain, you still feel the loss but having the sweet memories and knowing one day we will see them again is priceless! I’ll be praying for all of you today, Tipper and especially Granny. I know it’s on her mind also. God bless you all.
My heart feels for you Tipper, today is the fifth year anniversary of my mother’s passing. It also just a week past the nine month anniversary of my father’s passing. I miss them dearly like you miss your dad, but I thank the Lord they are both out of pain and with our heavenly father watching over all of us. You and your family are in my prayers as you honor your dad and the children their grandfather.
I know how you feel. Dad went to be with Jesus in 2006 and Mama followed on 2009. If I live like I should I’ll see them again. But, I miss them all the time.
Aw, Daddies . A high calling .. and yours met it with all his heart as unto his dear Lord. Thank you, Tipper, for this sweet share. I look forward to meeting Pap one day and I’ll surely be tappin’ my toe when he’s a singin’ and a pickin’!
I know the feeling Tipper. Blessings to ALL
Praying for you today Miss Tipper!
I know you must miss him dearly, because from what all I’ve seen and heard you and your family say and show on your YouTube channels, here on the blind pig & the things y’all have shared about Pap in person with us from the times we’ve met y’all, we all gather that he was a Great Man & Roll Model for you & others to follow and learn from.
And since we’ve got to know you & your family we can tell y’all listened & learned well from Pap!
Only regret I have is I wish we could have met him before his departure!
Thank you for sharing this today. Pap would have been one of my favorite people! Heaven gets sweeter and sweeter. What a blessing and comfort to know you will be with Pap again. Take care and God bless ❣️
I miss my Dad too, he was the best. Memories of our times together is my go to place when I’m feeling lonesome or stressed. Have a blessed day Tipper and enjoy all your precious memories.
I love this picture, especially the Red Man in his pocket. Reminds me of my own daddy. I never realized just how much your girls favor you. Wow!
A better eulogy could not have been spoken than the one you wrote today, Tipper, of any person. I did not know your father but what you shared tells me all I need to know of what kind of man he was on this earth. He surely is in the Father’s presence now singing His praises!
Ahh Tipper…this made me cry. My Dad died a year ago in January and as you said, the grief is starting to let me breathe, but I miss him so much. We were best friends, cohorts in”crime” and adventure buddies (Mom says we were down right scary at times). Dad had triple bypass plus stents ending in severe heart failure. We walked it together and I would do it all over again. Like you, my Dad was my go to for advice. I, too, wish I had a a direct phone line to heaven. There will come a time when we are together with the folks we love. What a comfort.
One of this life’s most wonderful blessings is finding the joy in memories of loved ones not currently with us. Thank you God for this blessing and for having so many wonderful memories to recall.
My daughter wrote me a letter when she was about 21-22 years old. She thanked me for changing her dirty diapers. My wife could change wet ones but didn’t want to be in the same house with a dirty one. I changed many of them by laying her on the trunk of the car when traveling while her mother sat in the car gagging. She also wrote in the letter that I was the most Godly man she had ever known. She said later she couldn’t believe I had cried when I read the letter. She said I was the only person in her life that had tried to understand her thoughts and fears and explain things to her in ways she could understand.
The memories I have of my daddy will never die. I understand that time changes everything but I find myself comparing the young men in today’s society to my daddy. If they could only spend a week working as hard as he did in the coal mines they would appreciate the easy work and good pay they complain so much about. My heart breaks for you today. Pap would not want you and Granny to be sad.
I love these stories!!
My dad chewed Red Man!!
I just found this site today! I love it! My grandparents were raised in Jenkins Ky. Alot of this sounds familiar.
A long time ago, my husband was listening to bluegrass songs when he happen upon a beautiful song being sung in someones kitchen;”The hills that I call home”.Wow,how pretty.Reading your reminiscents reminds us of our own,old homemade quilts still loved ,handed-down recipes well used,pink pear perserves deliciously sweet and on and on.Well young lady,take comfort,you will be together again. Best Wishes From The Other Side Of The Mountains,Jerry and Star,
Yes, the anniversaries are marked. All the seasonal signs marching toward the day saying, ‘It was this time of year ___ years ago ….’ But I am trying to turn the absence around by working on making it as easy as I can for those who, according to nature, I’ll leave behind. I don’t want to be missed with grief but with fondness. I am sure that is what you feel by now. I have to smile a bit about you calling your Dad as a teenager. I expect neither of you thought it remarkable but there are plenty of folks in this world who (sadly) would think so. You were being a blessing, even in troubles, because Dad’s like to help their ‘kids’.
You were so fortunate to have such a good man for a father. Cherish the memories.
Tipper,
I am sorry for your loss, but thankful that your Pap left you with so many happy memories.
Loving and caring parents are the backbone of a nation.
I am so sorry about your daddy being gone 7 years today and the truth is you will always miss him. From what you’ve shared, there’s a mighty lot of good man there to miss!!! I’m just going to confess driving is not something I enjoy. I was never a great driver, but now as my vision goes and my response times are slowing, it is what it is. I had to laugh about you sliding and your daddy saying the car was fine but your driving could be better…. Honesty from the old folks is surely something I miss….btw you look so young and pretty standing next to your daddy in that picture!!! He looks proud and happy of his daughter too! Just a lovely photo and lovely sentiment shared here today… love is the greatest resource and the one most difficult to find.
Like you, Tipper, there were times I wanted to call my Daddy, too. Had a question or some exciting or sad bit of information to pass along.
He passed in April 2001. He didn’t want a funeral. It was on Father’s Day that June, family and the one person he loved as a brother gathered and placed ashes in the ground after a memorial service at the house. I believe that was the best way we could have said our goodbyes. He wasn’t a perfect man but he was a man that walked like Jesus walked. It’s been 22 years this month & yes, I still miss him.
So hard to lose your parents. April is a tough month for me as well. Lost my Mom in a fire on April 30, 1980. she was only 56. I lost my dad on April 10, 1991. Praise the Lord, I will see them again as they were both saved. Still miss them but the wonderful memories outshine the loss. praying for you this day.
There’s rarely a day goes by that I don’t wish my parents were still around for me to ask for information, advice, etc. so I know exactly how you feel about your Pap. It’s obvious he was a good man; just look at the children he raised!
God bless Tipper with peace and comfort about Pap, in Jesus name, thank you for sharing, God bless us all, friends of Appalachia.
I know exactly how you feel I feel that way every June 20th. But aren’t we lucky to have had someone that meant that much and made our lives so much better for being in it. But we still miss them everyday. Paul looks so much like your dad and my brother is the image of my dad sometimes I find myself just staring and remembering. ❤️
Lovely. Thank you for sharing.
How bittersweet our memories can be. This month marks ten years since my father left this world and very few days pass without my saying to myself, “If only I could ask Daddy about…”
Fathers and daughters, what a precious gift.
Tipper, I fully understand your feelings and sympathize with you. My daddy has been gone for 32 years and I still miss him and often think of him. In the last 11 years, 12 members of either my family or my wife’s family have passed away, I was very close to all of them. It will be 2 years tomorrow since my wife’s funeral and burial, it still hurts just as much today as it it did then, my daughter’s death was 11 years ago. It seems like the time flys but the hurt does not, it never goes away. I was close to my daughter and like to hear you say things about you and your daddy. When my daughter needed help with her car or something else, she would come to me and start by dragging out the way she would say Daddy, I would ask her in a gruff voice “what do you want now” but she knew I was teasing her and would do anything I could to help her. An older friend of mine has often told me after my wife’s death that when our love ones die and we know they were Christians that they are in a better place and are no longer suffering, it is the ones they leave behind that are hurting and suffering. Tipper, I will say a prayer for you, Granny, Paul and the other ones today. I am also thinking of the Deer Hunter and think Pap was like a second daddy to him and know he is hurting too. I felt the same way about my father in law. Memories of my love ones cut me like a knife. Sorry for writing a book this morning.
Hugs to you and your family. Memories are precious.
Hugs to you Tipper. It is not easy losing our daddys
I know how you feel. My daddy passed away on April 14, 2012. I still miss him dearly. Remember the good times.
Thanks for your memories and thanks for the sounds you recorded of the river. That is a sound along with the roar of the ocean at my nearby Atlantic is such a soothing comforting peaceful sound. Puts me at rest and to sleep every time. God Blesses us with parents that give us memories that never get old.
The loss is real, but you will see your Pap again.
Thinking of you Tipper.
What a wonderful picture of you and Pap! I don’t think we ever get over missing our daddys.
What a wonderful blessing to have had such a loving, wise, and godly father. He’s not gone, he’s just gone on.
Prayers for you all. Sweet memories and time counter the bitter taste of loss.
My heart and prayers are with you today, Tipper. You were very blessed to be your parent’s daughter. And they were very blessed to be your parents! No words that I could ever say will remove the missing for your Dad from your heart and mind. Please know that I am quietly standing next to you, offering my friendship, and prayers for your comfort.
Donna. : )
It’s hard losing those people we love so dear Tipper. After time that pain sort of softens and we can recall the happy, loving moments that make us smile. I still hear my Pop Pops advice and his laughter. I hope your heart is happy with memories today.