A Gift

A few nights ago, I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep with millions of thoughts roaming in my head. One lead to another and my focus trickled to my grandparents. My papa in particular. 

I began to think of the man he came to be: his childhood and how it shaped where he wanted to go and what he wanted to become. I thought of the leader in business and community that he was, the example and leader for his family, and the charitable giver he continues to be (in spirit). And I thought of the memories we created together.

Growing up 5 houses from your grandparents has a lot of perks. It wasn't until I grew older that I realized not all children are close with their grandparents. For us, it was so easy to spend time together. At least once a week, he would show up in one of his 19-something old-time Ford's and honk the horn. We'd come storming out the back door and pile in. Off for ice cream we would go. And every Tuesday in the summers I would peddle my little bike up the slightly graded road to watch mama & papa play mixed doubles with the Ansons. They would serve me an ice cold water with crushed ice in my favorite peach cup, which smelled of the north pole (or so I imagined).

I remember our trips to the Westport, KY house where we would ride go karts and hit golf balls. Then we would ride into the woods as papa showed us the acres of land and his dreams of building more and more fun things for us to do. I remember the slumber parties where we played Monopoly until 9pm followed by a 7am breakfast (old people are always up early!). I remember the boat rides on the Ohio on Miss Chris, pretending that the house boat was our actual house. We would run up and down the stairs from the bedrooms to the top deck and back to the kitchen. I remember the family trips to Marco Island staying in their condo for NYE.

And I remember the first day papa took us to what is now the dealership; back then it was an abandoned mall. I thought WOW this is huge. I was so proud of him and our family. He built an incredible business, one that employed 350 people a few years ago. A business that survived the largest economic downfall in this century in an incredibly difficult industry. A company who's managers have been working there for 40 years...its entire existence. That speaks volumes about loyalty and character.

But he wasn't just about business. He was about charity and community. For years, the dealership has welcomed low-income families for Christmas giving them their only gifts and meals. A tradition that still lives on today. When his alma mater, the old Male HS building was to be torn down, he just couldn't bare it. So papa gathered up some friends and bought the place, only to turn it into a space for theatre and arts, businesses and communities. And when Parkinson's began to take his life, he did the only thing he knew: he funded the largest Parkinson's treatment center in the tri-state area.

The last 8 years of his life were spent in physical pain due to Parkinson's; but he never let the disease get his spirit. He laughed, loved, and joked. He told stories. He made funnies. And he continued to amaze and lead our family.

Thank you Lord for the gift of Papa Collins; and thank you Papa for the gift of our family!