Nick Bentley

GPC Student

Paw Paw From Newton County

Don’t judge a book by its cover is a great rule to follow when you first meet my grandfather.  My grandfather, who I call Paw-Paw, is a very loving, down-to-earth, laid back, slow talking southern gentleman. When you truly get to know my Paw-Paw you will love him as much as I do, but first you must get beyond his gruff, rough exterior to really learn who he is inside.

            Paw-Paw has done well in his life financially, but you could never tell from the way he dresses.  He always wears an old washed out pair of blue jean overalls partnered with a faded flannel shirt that has seen better times. His shoes are dull black in color and scuffed beyond repair. The few hairs he has left are combed over his freckled balding scalp which he covers with an old ragged red NASCAR racing cap. His eyes are deep blue and his chin is covered in a sandy brown and gray beard that does not cover his grin if he is happy to see you.

            You would never know from your initial meeting with my Paw-Paw that he suffers from lung cancer which was caused by exposure to asbestos during his time in the Navy working in the boiler room.  He is very private and won’t wear his oxygen apparatus in public because he does not want people to pry in his business.  You will never hear him whine about his discomfort because he is much too stoic to have any part of that nonsense.  When Paw-Paw has a bad bout with his breathing, you can find him at home in his old blue velour recliner, watching his NASCAR videos, with an oxygen mask strapped over his face as if this is the most normal thing in the world to wear while watching the races.

            Even though my grandfather is quiet and laid back, he is a very determined man. As a child he had always wanted to become a firefighter and he reached this goal when he turned forty-five years old. He quit smoking and drinking when he decided it was time to follow his dream so he would be in good shape to take the firefighter’s agility test. Paw-Paw persevered and he attained his goal and became a firefighter for Newton County and held this job for many years.  Paw-Paw started the volunteer fire department in Newton County and fifteen years after he was hired fulltime, he retired as a Captain, one of the only the few paid firefighters at that time.

            Paw-Paw speaks very slowly which sometimes leads people to believe he is not very bright, but do not let this fool you.   My Paw-Paw knows more about firefighting, the U.S. Navy and NASCAR racing than anyone else I know. He’s forgotten more than I will ever learn in my lifetime about these topics and many others. I have learned he speaks so slowly because he wants to make sure that the person he is speaking to completely understands what he is saying. He does not like to have to repeat himself.

            Paw-Paw has taught me so much about being strong and loving, but most importantly he has instilled in me that it is okay for me to be myself. Paw-Paw always tells me that if someone doesn’t like you for who you are, it is their problem, not yours.