Bebop

The day the Creedens left my mother called to tell me Nanna had called her and asked her to come help because she (Nanna) could no longer care for Bebop by herself. Bebop was diagnosed with congestive heart failure a few weeks back. I was already planning on going to visit the first weekend in April but because of the way he was declining I left a few days early. The kids and I loaded up the van early Sunday morning and made the trip to Spartanburg. When we got there, all of my siblings were there except Burk and Kent. I am so thankful for that time now because one week late Bebop went to be with His Lord and his wife. I am thankful Bebop did not have to stay in his weak state long. I am thankful I was privileged to be a part of his family. He was an amazing man as is evident by the fact that all four of his sons participated in his funeral service because they are ordained pastors (in addition to 2 son-in-laws and 1 daughter-in-law). I heard all about the way he was selfless, caring and giving to all he encountered (which is very true). But I was FAMILY! I got to clean his shower with shaving cream, straighten the garland in his hall, go grocery shopping for my family with him, run errands and "keep the change," sit in on his morning devotion, watch him cook breakfast, learn the secrets of his strawberry shortcake and banana pudding (but not his ranch dressing), be one of his beautiful dates he loved to boast about. He was a one of a kind and was described by one of the greatest men I know (my dad) as the greatest man he has ever met.