Lessons of a 90 Year Old Man

The gentleman who lives behind the store died a few weeks ago while we were at the Watson reunion. Mom was crying. She felt so bad because she wasn't there when he died. One of her sisters tried to comfort her and said how lucky Paul was to have mom, who cared for him after his wife died in 2003. Mom said no, she was the lucky one to have known Paul.

He was named after the apostle Paul and lived in several states including Ohio, Chicago, California, Idaho and a few others that I can't remember. He was a minister for the Church of the Brethren for several years and after finding he lost the fire, he worked for an insurance company. He and his wife then retired to Twin Falls where we met him as he purchased the house behind the store. We knew our family was going to be gone for his 90th birthday due to the reunion so the Monday before, mom and dad and all of us kids that were able to make it, barged on into his home with a cheese cake. We decorated it with candles and all the grandkids gathered around him to sing happy birthday and help blow out the candles. You could tell that was the highlight of his year! I don't know that his house has ever been so full of people and he choked up as he found himself speechless. As we were leaving and saying goodbyes (little did we know it would be the last time we'd see him), he took Charity's cheeks (6 years old) in his hands and said "I love you with all my heart." Paul was so near and dear to her being the oldest grandchild. He loved getting her little pictures she drew and crafts she made for him. As was remarked at the memorial service by dad, he can't wait for the day to meet his Maker and have Him put His hands around our cheeks and say, "I love you with all my heart."

Paul was very intelligent and educated and even at 90, read three newspapers a day. He was a very spiritual, christian man who loved to talk about religion and history. He has the purest heart of anybody I've ever met. Many at the memorial service commented on how Paul never spoke ill of anybody, he was never judgemental or negative. Mom found a little card on his table with five little words. We believe these were the last five words that he penned which describes him so well: CUT ALL NEGATIVE LANGUAGE REGARDLESS.