Sweet Sounds From Heaven

Grandpa Hensley was a good looking fellow. He was more than just good looking, he was just plain good. He sure was good to me. As a child he bought me shoes just about every six to eight weeks. He had to, wore ‘em smack out. It was nothing unusual for him to taxi everyone in the community anywhere. Lots of people did not drive, so that station wagon got a real good work out. Taking folks to the doctor, to town to buy groceries; really just about anywhere they needed, or sometimes just wanted to go, he got his hat and keys. He was more than just appreciated, he exhibited Jesus to everyone. One of the most selfless people I have ever met.

Once when living with grandpa and grandma, we decided to take a trip to W. Virginia. He was ready in a flash. Took me and grandma a little longer. Grandpa was walking around in the living room with his hat on and cigarette in hand, just grinning, patiently waiting.

Suddenly Margaret, from across the road, appeared on our door step peeping through the glass storm door. She was swaying back and forth in her four year old style and proudly announced,  “My daddy goin’ to buy me a pretty little red gress.” Grandpa picked up that phrase and continued walking around, grinning, holding that cigarette, proudly proclaiming, “my daddy goin’ to buy me a pretty little red gress.” He was so funny. Such a stand up comedian. He said the same thing every time, however, just placing emphasis on one word or the other added so much imagination. Maybe it was the way he talked with his cigarette hand. Nevertheless, grandpa was in his very element. We were off to a good start. Margaret had no idea how much she added to our already adventurous day.

In that station wagon, winding our way through the mountain roads toward W. Virginia, singing seemed a natural thing for me to do. Grandma joined in with harmony. Suddenly grandpa also joined in with a wonderful addition of harmony. I knew grandma could sing, but never had heard grandpa sing. What a pleasant surprise! We sang old hymns in three part harmony all the way to W. Virginia. What a treat. Singing and Swinging in that ol’ station wagon. Who knew we could have so much fun. We even swapped parts. We all just blended in regardless of who started off. What a grand treasure, and it was all my pleasure.

Fresh out of high school and back in Whitetop. Really thankful to be through with school. Out of the blue they offered to send her to college. The thought disgusted her, however the value of education was huge, so off we go to higher learning. She hated it. She wanted to be home with grandma and grandpa. Later in life, the higher education afforded her promotions, just was not appreciated at the time. Once when home from college, she over heard grandpa say to grandma, “college has really taught Sandra a lot. How to smoke cigarettes and dance dirty.” You know, he was right. Her Spirit sunk because they were paying lots of money for her betterment and she was no better. Somehow overhearing that comment and sensing their concern helped her snap out of it, buckle down and concentrate on the goal, graduation.

Finally finished and on the job hunt. Seems now she’s over educated. Go Figure! Thank God for high school training in banking; she landed a job at the Financial Institution. Through the bank secretary, she landed a place to live, with dinner privileges daily. Seems like favor is following her around. Working at the bank was easy, but truly just a job.

Living at Miss Mary’s was more than an adventure. Miss Mary was 88, nearly deaf, a wonderful cook, sharp as a tack, always formal and wonderful at conversation. She planned a full course evening meal daily for her new boarder, Miss Ruth, the bank secretary, Cookie, her daughter, and herself. She served everything with elegance. Conversation was rich. We enjoyed each others company. All this for $1.65 a day. One dollar for the furnished room, and bath, $0.65 for the evening meal. The conversation and laughter were free. No helping with the dishes was allowed. She considered it a privilege to serve. What an honor to know her even for a short period of time in my young life.

Just settling in good over the summer and looking forward to hanging out with her new found friends a long time, we were awaken with really bad news. Willis came to tell her that Grandpa Hensley had died over night. That’s impossible, she’s thinking. She just saw him late yesterday. She remembered specifically, grandpa coming down the hallway towards her with his wallet open and taking out his last ten dollar bill. He handed it to her. She looked confused. She was now working and had money of her own. He insisted that she take it. Grandpa recently had a hemorrhoids’ operation, and was losing more blood than anyone knew, which resulted in a heart attack. It’s at times like that when our blood seems to run hot and cold at the same time. The shock of it all, hits us directly in the heart. It’s not that she didn’t know what she had until he was gone, she realized fully what a treasure he was. It was just much too soon to be without him in her life.

Life has a way of making us well rounded whether we want to be or not. Like round smooth stones that the water courses of life flow over, as it cuts it’s own way through our lives. Leaving in it’s wake, ripples of memories, no one can take away. It was hard and even confusing to lose grandpa so soon. But, one thing was learned well from this wonderful selfless man. He did everything he did as unto the Lord. Matthew 5:16 summarizes his life as was seen by all. “Let Your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Did this man leave a lasting impression on his first grandchild? When she surrendered wholly to God in 1978, immediately she started having supernatural dreams. She heard a knock at the door and arose to answer. When she opened the door, there he stood, Good Looking as ever with his cowboy neck tie, his grey felt hat, grinning from ear to ear. She awoke. Grandpa went to Heaven in 1965. He just wanted to show up and let her know that he knew she was new. Dad gum, if she ain’t still his favorite. She has to be. Did he make a lasting impression on her? I’d say that’s an unequivocal YES!

Filed under: Miracle Moments