Big Wheel and Triple OG

The Big Wheel and Triple OG

My Grandparents on my mom’s side, Johnny and Jeanette. Or as we like to call them Maw aka The Big Wheel and Paw aka Triple OG Triple Triple. Until a few years ago I remember calling them Maw Nette and Paw Nette. Poor Paw didn’t even get called by his own name. Worked his whole life busting ass on a trawl boat and then all the grandkids called him Paw Nette. Nette short for Jeanette.  Can’t believe they let that slide. July 2, 2011 will be their 60^th Wedding anniversary. 10 years ago at their 50^th anniversary party I brought my wife, then girlfriend; it was one of the first family events she came to. Being married for 1 year is showing me how great of an accomplishment 60 years is, and how great it will feel when my wife and I reach that milestone, Jesus permitting. But when I look back on 28 years of having them as my grandparents and even after they will have passed it won’t be their marriage I remember the most.  I am sure I am not alone when I say what I will remember the most is the Christmas Eves at their house as a kid. I remember as far back as ’89 at 7 years old through ’97 their last year in that house.  It was the same routine, gather together to go to church, come back and eat, then open presents. Starting with the youngest working its’ way to the oldest. It wasn’t the toys, it wasn’t opening the presents, it was that feeling. An indescribable feeling that only came from that house, that night, and that family. Christmas Eve in that house was better than Christmas morning at my own. After ’97 they moved to their new house and Christmas Eve moved to a different house. Everything had changed. We still gather Christmas Eve at different houses, but it’s not the same. I had tried to capture that moment for the 11 years and I don’t think I will again. A couple of years ago my aunt gave me a box for Christmas. I had no clue what it could be but when I opened it I knew. She was at every Christmas Eve when I was a kid holding a video camera. This box was all the videos. Every video from my childhood Christmas Eves in one box just for me.  I can relive each year anytime I want, and remember how much I looked forward to those nights every year. Watching these tapes at my house gives me the same feeling as when it was actually happening. It is like a time machine going back to the 90s. Greatest Christmas Eve present ever.  I  hope one day my wife and I start a tradition with our kids at Christmas that they pass down to our grandkids. So that they will remember that feeling forever after we pass away just like I will remember the way I felt on those Christmas Eve nights long after my grandparents have passed.

Thanks for the greatest Christmas memories of my life Maw and Paw.

One Love All

JCP With the Meat