Papa Howard

My Papa Howard passed away on September 27th. We got word that he had become unresponsive on the previous Thursday so Ryan, Madison Claire and I went down to Chattanooga on an emergency trip on Friday the 26th to see Papa. It was so hard to see him unresponsive. It looked like even breathing with the help of the ventilator was so difficult for him. I held his hand in the room and talked with him about everything going on in our lives - how Madison was doing, how Ryan's football team is this year, etc. I also asked him to try to open his eyes for me and though he never did, I could see his eyes moving behind the lids as if he were trying really hard to open them. I gave him as much positive encouragement as I could and told him that I could see his eyes moving. I think if I were ever in a coma, I would want people to recognize that they knew I could hear them...even if I couldn't!

It was really hard to leave Chattanooga that day, but I felt at peace that I was able to hold his hand and kiss his cheek and tell him goodbye. I was able to be alone in the room with him for about 5 minutes and I told him how much I loved him, respected him, appreciated all that he had done for my family and our country and how I would always keep him in my heart. I told him he had an important job to do in heaven, to find our little friend Ryan Morgan and say hello. My mom told him to find her parents, my Mama and Papa Lambdin, and tell them about Madison Claire since they didn't get to meet her here on earth.

I knew when we left that it could have been the last time I saw him, but also had a hope that he would come out of the coma and improve. We got back into Nashville around 8:30pm that evening and I got a call from my mom around 11:30pm that he had passed away.

His funeral was on Thursday in Chattanooga and it was perfect. Papa would have loved it. Their church is the most beautiful church you have ever seen and it was the perfect setting for his service. Their pastor did an excellent job talking about Papa....he described him as the true Renaissance Man...doing everything well. That is so true!

I was asked to speak at the funeral to represent my dad's family. My cousins Elizabeth & Shelley spoke as well. It was overwhelming to think about what to say because truly I cannot put into words what an amazing man he was. This is what I had to say:

My name is Lauren and I am honored to speak on behalf of my siblings, Sarah, Meredith & Patrick. I want to talk about the legacy that my Papa Howard left to us. I think it can be best described by 2 bible verses:

I Corinthians 10:31 - "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

and

Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

I think Papa can be described as a man of great character. He displayed this character and these verses in so many areas of his life. I think of his commitment to my Mama Howard - 63 years! I also saw it in his parenting. I think of my Uncle Russ, Aunt Lynn, and of course about my own dad and what an amazing father he is. I know that he learned a lot about being a great dad from the example of Papa.

I think of how my Papa was always present in my life...at every major event he was there. Graduations, my wedding, and even meeting Madison Claire 4 days after she was born.

I think of his gardening and how he told me the story not to long ago of the people testing his plot of land for chemicals because they couldn't believe that a garden plot could be that beautiful and weed free without them. He hadn't used chemicals but his hands to work the land. That type of hard work is rare to find these days.

I think about his positive attitude. In his memoirs, he writes:

"I was disappointed that I had not been assigned to a combat unit. I had decided to help make my unit one of the best transportation units in the Army."

And he did. I think we could all learn from that and am sure the world would be a better place if instead of complaining in difficult or disappointing circumstances, we made the best of what we did have.

Papa Howard lived out his faith by serving others with humility. This is the greatest example he could leave for us. We're told in John 3:16 that "God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life." Because of God's gift of salvation in Christ, I rejoice today knowing that my Papa is looking Jesus face to face, and is full of light as he hears, "Well done, good & faithful servant."

Papa wrote me a letter this time last year. He said:

"You are providing me with one of the best reasons to live longer. I will be 84 in January. My great grand kids will need to be at least 5 or 6 years old to have any memories of me."

Papa - Madison Claire will have memories of you - through the legacy you've left her and each of us. A legacy of commitment, parenting, being present, hardworking, positive, to have a faith that can move mountains, and be of great character. Thank you for these treasures you have instilled in us. Until we meet again joyfully in heaven, I will keep you in my heart.



At the end of the service, they had a military presentation of the flag and all of the grandchildren served as pallbearers leaving the service. We went to the National Cemetery in Chattanooga for the burial. He had full military honors including the draped flag over the coffin, rifle salute, playing of Taps on the bugle and the presentation of the flag to my grandmother. It was so beautiful and touching. I know that Papa was smiling from heaven. I am so proud of him.

My Mama Howard has been absolutely amazing throughout all of this. I know the past few months of him in the hospital have been hard on her, but she has been incredibly loving and resilient, always advocating for his needs. She took care of him every day and was a staple at the hospital. She has a strength and grace that is truly admirable and I pray that I can have an ounce of that one day! Please join us in praying for her as she learns to navigate life here on earth without her sweet husband. She knows that she will see him again - praise the Lord!

It is hard to think about life here on earth without him but I know that life will go on with wonderful memories. I will miss him terribly and will strive to make him proud in my actions in life. He has left a legacy that all would be lucky to have. I am thankful that God ordained me to be in the family that I am and am grateful for many great years and memories with such a wonderful grandfather. I know that I will see him again in heaven and I will look forward to that day! I love you Papa!