“I’m Just Sayin’”
by Alan P. Scaglione
It’s funny what we remember about somebody? It may be their smile or their laugh; could be their demeanor or their signature saying; sometimes, it’s just the way they made you feel when you were around them.
What we remember keeps them alive in our hearts-- and lives.
My father passed away 21 years ago today. I still remember getting the call; picking up my daughters from school; going to identify his body.
All of it, I still remember, like it was yesterday; but, it’s not what I remember about him.
Naaaah…. Those memories are tied to his sayings, his stories and his example.
His sayings I have passed on to my children: “don’t buy anything at night!”; “always park under a light!”; and most importantly, “hold what ya got!”
His stories include when he was in the Second World War as a baker for the army; when he bought his only new vehicle (a truck) for his ice route; and when he went to Tennessee to be a baseball player for the Washington Senators but got so homesick, he came home.
Then there was his example: his fierce protection of his sons; his kindness to strangers, helping those in need; and always giving his grandkids a quarter every time they saw him, without fail.
He even taught me that those who leave us are never gone from us…as long as we remember to teach our kids about them.
It’s been 21 years, and I can tell you that one of the best pieces of advice I have shared with my children has been “hold what ya got”; I understand that “homesick” feeling because each weekend, I still drive 100 miles just to be close to my family; I have done my best to protect my children, maybe too much; and every time I see my grandkids, I always give them a dollar (the price of inflation—a quarter doesn’t go very far these days!”)
I remember that sparkle in his blue eyes (like mine); the fact that he was left handed (so am I); how he showed his love more than he spoke it; he always said, “If each generation does a little better than the last, then the family progresses!” I think he would be proud of how our family has progressed.
Papa accepted Christ late in life, even though he took us to church and dropped us off; he didn’t think he was good enough to ask Jesus into his heart; not common thinking these days; today, most people think they are too good and don’t need a Savior!
My father couldn’t understand how a perfect God could love an imperfect man—until he finally understood grace!
“For by grace are you saved, through faith, and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God! Not by works, lest any man should boast!” Ephesians 2:8,9
He finally got it—we can’t get good enough to go to God; we go to God, and HE makes us good!
We can’t earn unmerited favor—it’s a gift we have to accept!
I remember that my brother Paul led our father to the Lord and my brother Joe gave Papa the large print Bible that he read each day.
I remember how happy I was when Papa told me that he had accepted Christ as his Savior; and I know how proud I feel to still have his Bible.
That’s what I remember about my father; in the end, he made it possible for our family to be together in heaven—he accepted Christ.
So…when I remind my kids and grandkids about my Papa, I tell them, “you’ll see him someday…when we all get to heaven.”
It’s funny what we remember about somebody… that memory will hold us until we see them again…in heaven!
Makes me wonder… What will my kids remember about me?
Until next time,
I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”
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