The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

     Writing Wednesday is a place for me to write whatever I want to write.  

    There are only a few conversations I have had in my life that I actually remember them word for word.  The following conversation occurred between me and my Father-In-Law, Perry Ficklin, a few years ago, just before BYU was to play Wisconsin in football:

Papa:  Wisconsin is coming to be beat by BYU in a few weeks.

Me: I heard, think you can score me a couple tickets? (He was the king of getting tickets to BYU games.)

Papa:  I could, but not if you are going to cheer for Wisconsin and wear RED!

Me:  Hmm.  What if I wore some blue?

Papa:  It can't just be blue, it has to be the right kind of blue and have BYU written on it.

Me:  If you get me tickets, I will wear something BYU.

Papa:  I guess, but I'm still not happy about it.

On game day, I went to visit him in his usual seat at halftime, wearing my red Wisconsin Football shirt and a newly purchased royal blue BYU hat.

My friend, Kari and I.  Notice the blue and red!

Me: Hey Papa.  Quite a game, huh?

Papa:  You still cheering for that other team?

Me:  Maybe, but I feel bad for your blue team and I do have the BYU hat so I can cheer both ways.

Papa:  I guess that is okay, sweetheart, but that hat isn't too much blue.

Papa in his happy place.  Lavell Edwards Stadium

    Papa passed away on February 11th, just hours after I visited him wearing  a BYU shirt and that same BYU hat.  I whispered in his ear the following as he rested peacefully under a morphine dose:

Me:  Papa, we both know I hate the Cougars, but I, from now on, I will represent them always.  It's okay for you to go Papa, you have taught me so much.  I love you.

    Papa was a true legacy of faithfulness and kindness.  He was a friend to all and will be sorely missed.  He truly was Papa: The Man. The Myth. The Legend.  Which was written on a shirt we gave to him for Fathers' Day a few years back.

    May he always be our angel now and keep us safe.