Pops: Older Than The Earth

Happy Earth Day. Today also happens to be my grandfather, Pops’, birthday. If he were alive, he would be 96. This day always holds a special place in my heart, partly because I can’t help but giggle at memories of Pops proclaiming to anyone in earshot that he is “OLDER THAN THE EARTH.” Earth Day didn’t become a day of celebration until the 1960s. So yes, in fact, he was older than Earth Day.

Pops was an interesting character, who you knew was always in the room. He was a big, round man with snow-white hair and bright blue eyes. He was also a man who never shied away from an introduction, especially to any priest who gave mass on Sunday morning.

Pops was a lover of college football and would sometimes figure out his schedule so he could attend three games on a Saturday, normally with anywhere from one to five grandkids in tow.

He valued education. After serving in WWII, he attended the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in Engineering. As a young child, he taught me how to write my letters with perfectly straight lines. He taught me long-division before we learned how to do it in school. Because he was in the Air Force, he understood the stars and taught me some astronomy. When it comes to education, however, I think the biggest question was always, “Where are you going to college?”

At the age of 8, we visited Colonial Williamsburg on a family vacation. During the trip, I was introduced to the College of William and Mary, and it stole my heart. Pops explained how it was the second oldest college in the United States (how he knew all this information, I have not the slightest clue). After two years of always declaring that I was going to William and Mary, he wrote a letter to the college, explaining my excitement. William and Mary sent me an application. I was 10.

Additionally, he wanted his grandkids to get an education and set up a trust fund to help pay for our schooling. It was one of the biggest gifts I had ever received, and when I graduated with my bachelor’s, he was there declaring (again to anyone within earshot) that I was a third-generation college graduate. On that day, he may have gleamed with more delight than I did.

Pops valued his family. He never missed a sporting event, dance recital, choir performance, band concert, or anything else. Even for family members who lived out of town, he made time to get to watch their games. You would hear him in the stands singing, “These seats are made for sitting!.” (Like Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walking”) to the people standing up in front of him. Or he would be yelling “Three Blind Refs” (Like Three Blind Mice) to the referees if he didn’t agree with a call. It always made me laugh during a game, and I quickly learned to not be embarrassed.

Pops’ house was always full. Kids were playing. Music was heard. Cards were being dealt. Food being served. It was a place for us grandkids to escape and have fun, to play with our cousins, to learn, to go on adventures (typically to a local college), and so much more.

Pops has definitely left a legacy, and today I am glad he was Older than the Earth. Happy Birthday Pops!