How to change a tire

As some of you know my grandfather or as we called him Papa (pronounced paw-paw) Keefer, died this past Friday. Papa had a tough past 5 years or so, but I choose to remember him as I did as a child growing up. We would spend summers with him and Nanny at their house in Texas. He was always tinkering with something, whether it be a car, or motor of some kind. He had a "farm" which was not really a farm but just a piece of land that had a big tin garage that had old cars he was working on and of course his tractor. Papa taught me many things, like how to drive a riding lawn mower and his tractor. He also tried to teach me how to work on machines. But the most memorable lesson was how to change a tire. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was me and my cousin Jamon, under the hot Texas sun with the smell of pine trees in the air, changing a tire on Papa's trailer.

Well, I can still change a tire, and drive a tractor, but his mechanic lessons did not stick. However, the gifts he gave me go far beyond how to change a tire, and they will live on through my life. So when the day comes when it is Aidan's time to learn how to loosen lug nuts, I'll remember you Papa. I'll remember your love for God, wife, children, and grandchildren. I look forward to being united with you and Nanny again on the streets of gold you use to sing about.