Wednesday, April 13, 2011
MEMORIES OF UNCLE PAUL............. ....from .Jackie (Socia) Metcalfe...........................\
\
When I was about 5 years old, Uncle Paul was home on furlough with his friend, Bill. They always teased me that they would buy me a Nickel Beer. I didn't know what they were talking about, but it sounded fun. \
\
At about 12 years old, I made him some macaroni and cheese for the first time. He said it was the best he had ever tasted. I never knew if it really was, or he was just making be feel good. \
\
He was special to me and made me feel special also, He gave me some of his stripes and a patch from his army uniform along with a metal covered New Testament bible from his Aunt Hattie and Uncle Ben. I cherished these and have them in one of my curio cabinets.\
\
I babysat his son Raymond while in my teens.\
\
His wife was pregnant for Randy at the same time I was pregnant with our daughter, Penny. We seemed to share things along life's journey.\
\
In later years, he and mother joined Bill and I several times in Texas for vacations and to visit with Penny and her family. We would play Euchre and then part to go to bed, and he and mother would go to the IHOP for ice cream and pie about 1:00 am. They kept us up late, ha ha. One time as he was sunning himself by the pool, mother asked him to go swimming. He didn't bring a suit so she told him she would take him to buy one. He said "I was enjoying myself.......and......NOW SHE WANTS ME TO HAVE FUN !!! ??? \
He loved to stay at the Red Roof Inn with a 1st floor room across from Shoney's Restaurant so he could walk across the parking lot to get coffee, dessert, or a meal whenever he wanted. \
\
We enjoyed ribs from "Tony Roma's Restaurant" in Texas and "Mr Brown's Restaurant" in Flint. One time while he and mother were in Texas without Bill and I, he took a picture of "Tony Roma's" and sent it to us to rub it in.\
\
After mother had her stroke, Bill and I often would pick him up to go to dinner and play several games of Euchre. He and Bill would delight when they beat mother and me. Uncle Paul took his card game very seriously.\
\
I have many other memories, but it would take too much time to add today......... Bill and I will miss him............. \
\
\
\
\
\
\
Penny remembers how he told her how proud he was of her accomplishments. She was so pleased. \
She has many fond memories of him and was so glad he was part of her life.\
\
P.S. Comments from Penny's children:\
\
They remember how he taught them to stand up from an Indian sitting position without using their hands, and they can still do it.\
\
How he was sleeping on their couch with the cat sleeping on his chest.\
\
How he helped put together their new entertainment center.\
\
Ben remembered how he snatched him up and told him to settle down when he got too crazy around the pool. Ben laughs about it now.
