Joe Day

Last night I get a text from my cousin, Megan. She asked if I had seen the article in The Reader's Digest on Pappaw. My Pappaw Joe is in the Dec 2010/Jan 2011 issue.

The main article is titled 'The Spirit of Giving', and his subheading is 'A Brilliant Display'.

I know I've written about Pappaw before, and about his lights. However, I'm doing it again.

As all of you know, my grandfather is battling cancer. In April of 2009 we found out that he had lung cancer. He went through several rounds of chemo and radiation, and was unable to put his lights display up. The community rallied together, and put the lights up for him AND payed his electricity bill while the lights were up. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's a huge deal. On December 13 of last year there was a ceremony for him. People from the community came and sang to him. Doug Rump presented a resolution from State Representative Cleo Duncan thanking him for "bringing joy to thousands over the years". AND he got to flip the switch to get the lights going.

It was the day before this that we found out the cancer was terminal. The doctors told him with treatment he had 3 months to a year.

Pappaw is a fighter.

When I was a kid, I thought it was just the coolest thing ever to be able to go out on hill and walk around, looking at the lights. Not everyone gets to do that, so it was like I was a VIP, and that was just mesmerizing to a 5 year old.

My whole life, when I've thought about Christmas, I've thought about Pappaw and his lights. I've never known a Christmas with out them or with out him.

My joy of Christmas comes from this man, and one day my children will know that same joy.

(One of the shops that Pappaw built, that is on display)

 

The article talks about his lights display and how it started, and his battle with lung cancer. I won't tell you anymore than that because I want you to go read it for yourself.

I don't know who Bill McDonald is, but I want to say thank you. On behalf of the Day family, thank you for doing this for my grandfather and for our family. Words can not express our gratitude for the kindness you have shown to our grandfather, father, and husband.

I also want to say thanks to Gary Sledge who wrote the article. Thank you for getting the word out about Pappaw. I would love for this to attract more people to his place to experience the joy that our family has been given.

I love you, Pappaw Joe!