Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Getting to Know Papa Goff

 Some people see me and think I am just plain strange. I'm a skeleton who likes to frequent the same places you do; I enjoy doing the same things you do; And I probably like the same people you do. I am gonna tell you about one such person who you might know as well.
 The very first time Walter took me to his parent's house to meet Papa and Granny, I was a little apprehensive. Not everyone has Walter's sense of humor. What was I about to encounter? Was I gonna be left out in the truck the whole weekend? I really wasn't feeling too well that day and the thought that they may not accept me was making my stomach churn. I thought about something to talk about to break the ice. As I hobbled out of the truck, my mind was at ease because all around I could see things that I could relate to. There were Georgia Bulldog flags flying, Georgia Bulldog stickers all over the vehicles and even a cool Honda  Goldwing 1800 trike that had Georgia Bulldog stickers and medallions all over it. I was gonna be just fine.
 Papa took a few minutes to tell me all the details and specs of his toy. I never knew anyone could take a one minute story and turn it into a half hour mini-novel. WOW, that man could talk. Lol. I see where Walter gets it from now.....

After we talked about what the trike could do, I asked if he would take me for a ride. You know what, he did.  And it was the first and only time I have been on a motorcycle. I really think Papa enjoyed it more than me. Walter said he saw a look on his father's face that day that had been missing. Papa Goff was like a kid again. He was about to ride around his neighborhood with a skeleton on the back of his trike and it made him happy.
 Papa helped me onto the back of the bike and made sure I wouldn't fly off while we were riding. He was so cautious and made sure nothing went wrong. I was nervous, but seeing the joy on his face made everything alright. I was getting excited and my face clearly showed it.
 Papa couldn't stop smiling either. You have to admit, we were two handsome gents riding on the trike that day.
 Papa carefully turned the trike around and soon we were off on our adventure. We may have only gone around the block, but it was the memory we created that will live on. Papa was able to say he drove around with a skeleton on his trike and I can say I got to ride on a trike with an awesome human being.

The wind blew through his hair and over my bald head. His eyes watered and my eye sockets were bare. He wore protective shoes and I propped my foot on one footpeg and my stub on the other. I was free. As Walter likes to put it, I was "Enjoying life." I really was. This one time I got to spend with Papa Goff will live on in my memory for as long as I continue to exist.
 The ride came to an end and Papa let me just sit there for awhile. I thought about what we had just done and I could still feel the vibration of the bike long after it was no longer running. I remembered the looks on the people as we rode past and Papa waved. I saw the kids pointing and smiling and it made me happy. I remember Papa grinning and wondered just what he was thinking. I had a really good time that day.
 That was the one and only time I rode with Papa Goff. As I sit here and reflect on his life, I am proud to say I was his friend. He never judged me nor did he ever say I wasn't welcome in his house. He got a kick out of watching the joy Walter got from taking me around various places and taking pictures of me. I only have one regret and that is the fact that I didn't have longer to spend with him in this life. Papa Goff went on to ride the winding roads in Heaven.
One day, when we meet again, I hope to hear all about the funny things he did in Heaven as he waited for us. I know the Angels are laughing daily at the stories he is telling them and if flirting is prohibited there, I'm sure he is breaking the rules each and every day because one thing I learned about him from my brief time with him  on this earth is that "Papa" was 100% Goff and that is why we all loved him.

In loving memory of Morris Levy Goff Jr.
May 2, 1943 - March 11, 2011

4 comments:

  1. You really captured that day. Thanks for the memories.

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  2. This was the best story yet!! Love the pics too!

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  3. This was very touching and I am sure you are thankful for those pictures and memories.

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