The power of observation and the right tool.

Oscar, your Dad took this picture of you at the city commission meeting.  You got up and went to the podium to share a grievance about a sign that was crooked and needed to be "fixed".  After the meeting, you had a conversation with the city manager who was quite impressed with you.

Your Poppa was not surprised at all.  He was remembering you as a toddler watching "Handy Manny" .  You have always been very observant of details. 




 When you were 2, we went shopping with you and your Mom at an Old Navy store.  The store display had neon stars and lights.  Several of the lights had burned out and were very high in the ceiling. You looked very troubled and grabbed Poppa's hand and took him to the spot directly below the burned-out bulbs. You pointed at the bulbs and said, "Wick-it Poppa, wick-it."  Translation: Fix it, Poppa, fix it!  Your Poppa, who would do anything for you but had to tell you he didn't bring any tools with him and he would also need a very high ladder.  You did not like that answer at all. You told him, he should always have his tools with him as tools were important. He finally distracted you by buying you a small toy and whispered over to me to hurry up and finish so we could go home!

Just know that your Poppa and I love you very much and marvel at your wonderful mind.  You love to read and always impress me with your knowledge of everything from cars to computers.  Know that we pray for you every day.  Thank you for all your hugs.   Your  Cheerleader ....Diva

How I met your Poppa

 I met your Poppa at church in a Sunday School class for College and Career.  I was new to the church and had seen him singing in the church choir.  I liked him instantly and decided to meet him.

I was working as a night nurse (11 to 7) shift at a hospital in Virginia Beach.  I had every other weekend off but decided I couldn't wait for a weekend that I was off so the following Sunday (after working all night) I went home and prepared "to meet HIM".  Yes, dear children, I stalked your Poppa!  I showered, curled my hair, wore my best dress, sprayed on Shalamar perfume, grabbed my Bible, and headed out the door on my quest to meet my Mr. Wonderful.

I arrived early and eagerly waited for him to show up.  He was late. Class started and after a preliminary welcome, we were encouraged to mingle and meet newcomers.  At last, my moment had come and I started my quest to meet him only to be stopped 4 times by people wanting to meet me.  My momma did not raise me to be rude so I missed my opportunity to meet him.

It was a big class (about 25 people) so we were divided into groups by counting off into groups of four.  I listen to whatever number he said and went directly to his group as soon as we broke up. I sat next to him and marveled at how smart and articulate he was.  (I should add that your Diva is attracted to Nerds.)

After class, I asked him if he was going to go to church so I could sit next to him.  He smiled sweetly and said "Yes, I am, I sing in the choir!  ( Rats!  I forgot about that.)   I gave him my best smile but it didn't persuade him to skip choir and sit with me.  So I sat by myself and dozed off and on through the sermon since I had been up all night long.  Hopefully, it looked like I was in deep meditation or prayer!

After church," I lingered longer" in hopes of accidentally bumping into him.  When that didn't happen I decided to give up and go home to bed defeated in my purpose.  When I got to my car, guess who was parked behind me?  Yes, dear children, it was your future Poppa.  God is good!

We talked, I flirted, and then he asked me to join him for lunch!  I forgot how tired I was and instantly agreed.  We went out for pizza and it felt very comfortable talking with him.  We laughed, and conversation seemed to flow in both directions. 

 When the bill arrived he discovered the restaurant didn't take credit cards and he only had a dollar in his pocket.  So yes dear children, I ended up paying for our first date and as I like to remind him....I've been paying for it ever since! 

 We met in March, got engaged in April, and were married in July. So you can see that even though your Poppa was shy and quiet when we met he definitely was just waiting for me.  We just celebrated our 46th anniversary this year.