West Virginia

Alright...I have alot of lost time to make up for. So I will start back in March with my trip to West Virginia. I was originally going to visit my great-grandfather, Papa Sayre for what was probably going to be the last time, but unfortunately he passed away 2 days before I left. But, what worked out was that I was able to be out there for his funeral. As he was such a wonderful part of our lives, I was humbled to represent my side of the family there and share a letter that my grandmother (his daughter) had written. He was a wonderful man who shared anything and everything with everyone, family or not. I remember that when we would go visit, even if he couldn't buy you a present he would just take something off his shelves and give it to you because he didn't want you to walk away empty handed! And I remember he used to keep Ding-Dongs and Diet Riet in his fridge for a snack. But one of the best things was his front porch swing! You could just sit for hours on that thing and never once get bored. He is the reason I have a swing on my front porch. And everytime I sit on it I think of Papa Sayre. One thing I had to make sure of, I HAD to eat at a Bob Evans while in West Virginia. That is where Papa Sayre always took us to eat.

It was kind of a bittersweet moment to be eating at Bob Evans without Papa Sayre, but don't worry, I was not alone! I was able to eat with my two WONDERFUL aunts: Aunt Alicia and Aunt Carolyn. These are my Dad's sisters. While I was in WV, my Aunt Alicia was gracious enough to open her home to me so I was able to spend most of my time with her. My twin Uncles: Ed and Earl live just 2 houses away so I was able to visit with them quite a bit. Alicia and the twins are related through my Dad's mother, Beulah. Aunt Carolyn is my dad's sister from his father, Walter. I guess Alicia and Carolyn hadn't seen each other since they were teenagers so for them it was interesting to meet again after all these years. At the dinner was also my cousin Melinda and her family. I always though Melinda was the coolest person, you know....I was a little kid and she was this cool teenager and later college-age person, so hip and trendy! And I thought she had the coolest name! So it was very neat to visit.

While on my trip I wanted to do some other fun/site-seeing things. So one day Alicia, Ed and Earl took me to see the Marshall University Memorial. If you've seen the movie (We Are Marshall) or maybe you just know the events - a plane crash that killed most of the Marshall Football team, coaches, crew members and others that occurred in the 1970's. So we went to the crash site where they have a memorial, the memorial fountain on campus and the cemetery. In the movie I don't think you get an accurate idea of how close the crash site is to the airport...we are driving down this road and on the left is the turn for the airport. Not even a mile down is a 2nd left and that is where you turn to get to the site. For me I think that is the saddest part, that they were so close.

After buying up some Marshall University gear, Alicia took us out to a wonderful old-style Pharmacy and Soda Shop: Griffith & Feil Pharmacy. Good food, good atmosphere, good service, GREAT COMPANY! I even got free post cards, which my sister loves me for because I give them to her for her collection.

Another afternoon, I was able to have lunch with my Uncle Ed. That was very nice - I was able ask questions, hear stories and learn more about my Dad's side of the family. Not to mention just being able to have lunch with my Uncle who is awesome!

I felt very loved while I was out there! And though part of the reason I was there was kind of sad, I was so glad I was able to make it. I hadn't been back to WV since I was 15 years old, and let me tell you, it hadn't changed....from Big Boy right down to the Pink Elephant it was the same as I remembered!!! And a speacial Thank-You to my family in West Virginia for making Wonderful Memories!!! XOXOXO