Growing up I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents, Granny and Pappy. I was very loved and have many great memories of our times together. Granny passed away almost 7 years ago and I miss her every day. I have a tablecloth that was hers and I keep it folded up, never used, because it still smells like her house. I know it is kind of weird, but sometimes when I'm missing her very badly, I'll take out that horrid 70's thanksgiving tablecloth and bury my face in it. I inhale and suddenly I'm a little girl again and back in her dining room. It makes my heart hurt that she is gone but for a moment she is alive again in the smell of that musty old tablecloth. I don't do it too much because I don't want to waste the smell. I certainly have my quirks, but at least I confess to them.
Pappy and I spent our weekend nights, me in my Pink Panther nightgown that was a hand-me-down from Anisa, my uncle's girlfriend's ultra cool daughter, watching television. Friday nights it was the Lawrence Welk show and then Hee Haw. Oh how I loved that Junior and Lulu. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to play the banjo like Roy Clark or be a clog dancer. Clog dancer usually won out because they wore those great big frilly skirts. I'd clog on the fireplace hearth for anyone who would watch.
Back then, what passed for humor would never fly these days. But we laughed at Grandpa Joe and sang along with the good old Gospel music. These were the songs we sang in our country church. My Pappy would sit in his recliner and I'd sprawl on the floor admiring my rainbow socks with the individual toes. It was a great time. If I close my eyes I can see that room just as it was so many years ago. Ah, the 70's.
Imagine my delight last night when I discovered a Hee Haw marathon on CMT. How I came about this could only have been Divine Intervention, because prior to last night I have NEVER watched CMT. I honestly didn't even know we got that channel. I was thrilled to see Hee Haw running for hours! I watched for a minute, singing along with Tammy and George. (Jones, that it) Then I knew what I had to do. I called my Pappy. He's been feeling puny these days and making a lot of trips to the doctor. All they can seem to come up with is that he is just old and wearing out. But I caught him eating supper and shared the great news of the Hee Haw marathon. He indicated that he'd look for the Country Western Channel and as I was trying to share my memories of our Friday nights with residents of Kornfield Kounty he just about hung up on me. He's never been one for phone conversations...doesn't want to waste the time on long distance. (however, that man can TALK in person) I resumed watching Hee Haw, hoping that once again, my Pappy and I were watching it together, if not in person.
This morning the phone rang bright and early. It was my Pappy. He wanted to thank me for telling him about the Hee Haw marathon. Said he watched until 11pm. I doubt he's seen the other side of 9pm in 20 years. We laughed a little and he said, "Rabbit," (that is what he calls me!) "Rabbit, half of those people are dead now, but they sure were funny." Yes, yes they were. He then went on to say how my phone call and the hours of retro television that ensued, make him feel much better. "Not a 100% better, but maybe 34% better." Always the joker.
I love my Pappy very much. And I'm so glad that anything I could do could make him feel any percent better. I'm grateful to CMT for airing Hee Haw once again, if only for an evening because my Pappy enjoyed it. I hope Pappys all over enjoyed that last night. I know I sure did.
I know that my Pappy will have his great homecoming sooner than later. I dread the day I get that call. I know he is tired and it will be a wondrous day the day he sees the face of Jesus. But selfishly, I'd like to keep him here always, because he is a great man. And the world is a much better place with him in it.
Sometime we just all need a little Hee Haw in our lives to remind us of what is good in the world. Hee Haw everybody.
