Dear Papa John,
How can I thank you for a lifetime
of influence and love, not to mention the salvation of my family? My earliest
memory of you goes way back as early as memories come. We were sitting in a
folding chair after an event, looking at popcorn on the floor. You took the
time to talk to me, a little girl, amidst all those "important"
adults around us. I asked you how a kernel of corn could become a
piece of popcorn we eat. You answered with absolute sincerity and seriousness
as if we were talking about a precious jewel. Then, somehow, in a way only you
could do, you turned a simple discussion of corn into a life-lesson that ended
in a prayer for my life and the direction God would lead me. Since then, each
year that we were in Murdo, we passed that corn back and forth in a jewelry box
and shared a special time of conversation and prayer. I'll never forget how
important you made me feel to have your time and prayers. Even while on
"vacation" in Murdo, you took every opportunity to pour your wisdom
and love in to my life and the lives of all those around you. Then, after years
of trading that piece of corn and praying for my future mate, you came to present
that corn to my fiance at our rehearsal dinner. That is one of my most precious
memories.
We will miss you dearly. As my
family and I travel to Murdo again this year, we will definitely bow our heads
and make a trip up to the old house. We'll stand on the porch we've watched you
paint a dozen times, and we'll reminisce what you'd say as you'd
stand in your paint-stained jumpsuit talking about all the projects you'd plan
to accomplish.
There is no other like you. God made
a special, unique mold in you, and that mold/ your life blessed this world in
too many ways to count. What a legacy. What a faithful servant and model you
leave for us to follow. Your joy and love for the Lord was written all over
your face and as contagious as could be. Yes, you were one-of-a-kind. An
amazing man.
You're forever loved and greatly
missed!!!
Mindy
(I found this in the draft section of my email
...I think I always wanted to really take the time to write more or better or
have time to think about it...but it's just been sitting in there, unsent. So,
I think I'll just send it... I miss Papa John so much. I'm so blessed beyond
belief to say that I knew him and that he touched my life.)
