final thoughts – Jake Stapleton

I suddenly find myself setting in my Ohio hotel room having just got in from working and unable to attend Mr. Tweel’s visitation struck with a loss for words. So many moving messages have been written about him in the past few weeks that I think "what possibly could I have to add?" Then I find myself thinking only two words over and over.

"Thank You"

Thank You Mr. Tweel for being a mentor to me and so many hundreds of students over your teaching career.

Thank You for being the "fun" teacher but also for jerking a knot in my tail when needed.

Thank You for providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that fostered so many friendships that still exist today.

Thank You for your patriotism and love of this country that poured out of you and rubbed off on your students.

Thank You for being refreshingly honest no matter who was around to hear it.

Thank You for taking us on bands trips during your "week off" every spring.

Thank You for the support and kindness you showed my family when we lost my father.

Thank You for not pressing charges or otherwise harming me & an unnamed accomplice when you found out about that whole joy riding in your Blazer thing. (Although you were more than slightly irritated I would have to say.)

Thank You for pushing me to do better no matter what I was attempting.

Thank You for being there all those years ago.

Even though it has been 17 years since I left your Band Room and many days I feel like I have lived another life since then. Those years will hold some of the fondest, warmest, and meaningful memories that I will always cherish

Bob when I think of you I cannot picture you any other way than with that mischievous smile that often graced your face and I am sure that’s the way you will look when I see you again someday.

Greetings & Salutations Faithful Stapleton Blog Readers

I am writing today to let you all know that Uncle Sam has passed away. He went home to be with Aunt Nancy on Fathers Day Morning about 7:00.

As I sit back and think about this I have some mixed emotions. I am of course sad that I won’t get to see or talk with him again in this life time, but I am more happy than anything. Uncle Sam always wanted to do for himself, he never wanted to be old and in need of help. As his breathing problems became worse he increasingly had to rely on his son Andy & his wife Laura who were always at his side ready to help. But I really think there has been such a weight on his heart since Aunt Nancy died that he really has just longed to be reunited with her again.

You see Uncle Sam & Aunt Nancy were more grandparents to me than anything else. Bobba (that’s what we called my dad’s mom) was 75 years older than me. Although we could talk and I visited with her regularly, I never spent a lot of time with her like my other siblings. I came along so late in life that my other siblings were there to babysit me. My Grandfather on dad’s side of the family died back in the 1940’s way before I came along. On my mom’s side I never knew my grandmother she died in the 60’s. Pawpaw (mom’s dad) lived about an 1 1/2 hours away and although we went to visit I never really spent a lot of time with him I was young and had cousins to play with. Since I had siblings to watch me I never went up and stayed with him like my brother and sisters. Pawpaw died when I was in the 8th grade.

So that brings us back to Uncle Sam & Aunt Nancy they were just right. Just old enough to be grandparents and up on current events enough to be fun! When I think about it that is what they really were to me. Going to their house was always free entertainment if you came out of the house not knowing where you stood with them or where they stood that was your own fault. If you did not know what they were thinking it was your own fault! If you ever left the house hungry that was most definitely your own fault! It was a house of hospitality that was always open, honest, & generally hysterical. Uncle Sam was always tinkering with something that was fun to help out with or just to watch. The man had more tools than most small governments.

I will always have fond memories of spending time up there. But I am happiest that Uncle Sam & Aunt Nancy are together again. I am glad they are both at rest and I am looking forward to seeing them again one day.

Tag: final thoughts

Thank You Bob

Uncle Sam has gone home to rest