In Memory of Jim White

R.I.P Papaw, I love you always and forever.

This was the last picture we took together on Saturday, January 27th. In fact, this was the last picture you ever took. I can't believe it.

I have lived with you ever since I was about four years old and as said before, coming home was not the same without you being here. This was so unexpected, and unfair. You were the healthiest person in our house. Heck, you went on 7-mile runs everyday. Crazy old man. Sometimes driving from place to place I would randomly see you jogging on the side of the road. 71 years old and the strongest man I know. You used to be over 300 pounds, you had cancer multiple times, fought with depression, and you STILL had the motivation to get up everyday and strive to be better. What a man.

I will never forget so many memories that we have together.

I remember when you would pick me up from latchkey in kindergarten and bring me a PayDay candy bar every time you got paid. I remember coming down stairs while you were watching football and scaring you because I would crawl behind the chair and sneak up on you. After about 20 times you would get so annoyed, but you still acted scared every time. I loved that.

I will never forget how hard it was for me to move to Reynoldsburg, but you always made me feel better. You were my basketball coach for two years and made me go to the court with you every day the summer of 8th grade to practice and work on my skill. You bought me my first basketball shoes too. You were such a cool grandpa to me.

I will always cherish running marathons with you, and later going to watch you race. I remember when I was little you would take me to Westland mall to go see Santa no matter how scared I was of him. I remember having to stay late at night waiting for my dad to get home from law school so I would watch Beauty and the Beast on VHS in your room. I remember having a drawer in your dresser for all of my church clothes when we went every Sunday and I felt so special for having my own drawer in your room.

I remember steering on your lap in parking lots while you made me think I was driving all on my own. I remember golfing with you. I remember you gave me my first dream catcher for my collection (you added to it many times as well). I remember cheering for the Tennessee Titans with you no matter how much they lost, even this year. I remember showing you my homecoming and prom dresses to make sure you liked them before I wore them. I remember all of our vacations, especially this past summer. I remember you talking to me about all of my problems all of my life. I remember you telling me the best stories about your life; and I will always look up to you.

I remember we had matching Adidas pants and matching Nike jackets, but never wore them at the same time of course (lol). I remember you sneaking behind my dad and giving me a sip of your nasty Diet Pepsi, but I liked it because you always drank it. I remember everything we always did together. We went to lunch all of the time, at least once a month. We went recently and you got annoyed because I took your picture without you knowing it. I will always remember all of the good things. I last talked to you Sunday night and you were telling me how proud you were of me and how much you loved me. But you have always reminded me every day. I will miss seeing you everyday. I was supposed to walk down the aisle with you for DeeDee's wedding this April, but I will be walking down with your picture and your spirit instead. I will take you everywhere with me, every day, in my heart.

Holding your hand in the hospital Monday night was the hardest thing I have ever done. I hope you heard me talking to you. Your heart stopped in my living room that day, and it feels like my heart has stopped, too. You mean so much to everyone. I love you always and forever. You were my best buddy and the best grandpa I could ever ask for. Your legacy lives on, and so does my love for you. Mamaw always said "Everyone is born with an expiration date", I just didn't think yours was going to be this soon. I miss you already.

xoxo,

Your Mimi Tyler

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Rest in Heaven.