That’s What Papa Said
This photo is of my sweet husband and grandson, Payton (who is now 14). Payton and Papa had a special bond — in particular, they both loved to fish and loved to play the piano. This is an excerpt from Payton’s published book (he was ten years old when he wrote it, and just after his Papa went to heaven), “That’s What Papa Said”.
“I’ve been playing the piano since I was four years old. My mom says that I just hopped up on the stool one day and started playing and didn’t want to stop. That’s when she put me in lessons to see if I would really want to play. And I did! Of all our family, only Papa and I can really play the piano so it makes me feel like I have a part of him in me. Papa was a great pianist and he could sit down at the piano, and play almost anything.
When I was four, Mom bought me a big white grand piano from my Papa. We only had the piano for two weeks when I thought it needed decorations. I was just learning to play the piano and didn’t know better, but I took a black permanent marker and drew pictures all over it. I thought my pictures were really pretty but when Mom came in and saw what I was doing, she wasn’t so proud. She cried, “NO!” and immediately picked me up and moved me away from the piano, and called Papa for some advice.
Thank goodness, Papa gave Mom the idea to use Windex to clean the marker off the piano. It all came off and was as good as new. When Papa heard about it, he wasn’t mad. He just told me, “Everyone makes mistakes every now and then.”
That’s what Papa said.
I remember my first recital when I played “Jingle Bells”. I was still just four years old. I was the youngest player there and when I was done, I was awarded with a mini Mozart statute. I was very excited that day. We picked up the phone and called Papa. He was so proud of me when he heard I did great. He told me to just keep playing the piano and never quit. Papa said, “God has GREAT plans for you.”
That’s what Papa said.
When I was around seven years old, I had a song that I was learning called “Ode to Joy.” I had to practice very day. When I would play that song, I would cry and cry through the whole song because it was really hard and I didn’t want to practice. My Mom sat me down and said, “Why are you crying through a song called “Ode to Joy?” It is a song about being happy!” Papa heard that I was crying through the song because I didn’t want to practice. That is when Papa told me, “Keep practicing because practice makes perfect!”
That’s what Papa said.
Three years later, when all of the boys in my school were playing sports, I felt kind of left out because I was the last one to be picked on the field. I didn’t know much about sports and hadn’t practiced football because I love piano and fishing so much. I told Papa about it one day and he told me, “You can only play those sports for a few years, Champion, but you can play the piano and go fishing for the rest of your life!”
That’s what Papa said.
When I think of all the things that Papa said, it reminds me of how great he really was. Before he went to heaven, he said a few things that I will never forget. He said, “Love God with all your heart! Sit up straight when you play the piano. Believe in yourself. Keep going even if you don’t succeed. Be patient! Never be afraid. Practice makes perfect! God has great plans for you. Be confident, and no matter what, never, ever, ever give up!”
That’s what Papa said.”
Now, this is back to Donna, and to add my final words. At Papa’s memorial service, 10 year old Payton played “Fleur De Lis” on the piano. It was a sweet and tender moment……we knew Papa was looking down at us from heaven and smiling sweetly at his protege. His legacy continues.
The question is…..”Are we influencing those around us to be better, braver, stronger and wiser? Don’t we want our words and actions to be those that make a positive, indelible imprint upon those around us?”
That’s what Papa did.