Hope Hall of Fame One: Grandpa Hollie

Around this time last year I was in a hospital room holding my Grandpa Hollie’s
hand. (I’m named after him and we’re very close—you’ll be hearing more about
him.) He’d just been through triple bypass surgery and a valve replacement
at age 86.

We didn’t know how the surgery would turn out. I remember sitting in the hospital
room and counting each breath he took as if they were precious jewels. Each one
meant I got to keep him with me another moment.

A couple of months ago I got back from a trip to Yellowstone with Grandpa Hollie
(or “Poppi” as I usually call him). You can see us in the picture. He’s wearing his
brand new “snow cap” because we got an unexpected six inches of snow that day. We barely talked him out of a “coon skin cap” that was “just like the ones Davey
Crockett used to wear.”

After his surgery, Poppi went to an assisted living center for physical therapy and
recovery. When I asked him about his stay he said, “There were people at the
place who lived with a fear of falling. They used walkers when they didn’t even
need them. When they asked me if I was afraid of falling I’d say, ‘Nope, falling
isn’t even in my vocabulary.’ ”

Through faith, hope, and outright stubbornness, my Poppi is with us today and
going strong. He’s a greeter at church, the president of his neighborhood
association, an active member of the Gideons, a regular visitor to the juvenile
delinquent center in his town, and the official hugger of everyone he meets.

When I think of hope, Grandpa Hollie’s face is the first one I see. And thanks to
God’s grace, I plan on seeing that silly smile in person many more times this side
of heaven.

Comments

[Jeanne]

Hi Hollie,
Congratulations on your beautiful new blog! How nice for all of us fans to see the face behind the famous words!!!! You are an amazing writing talent. I can't wait to get to know you more here. You've already encouraged me with a mere two posts!! Will be back often!!

PS: But I will be nervous posting comments without an editor!! :-)

PPS: See, right there I started a sentence with "But." !!!

[RoverHaus]

I like Poppi already. Any guy who would insist on a coonskin cap and doesn't worry about falling is my best friend already.

Great post!

[Beak]

Ahh, I love grandpa Hollie stories. I wish I could have one of his hugs.

[Kim]

I am honored to say that I've received one of Grandpa Hollie's famous hugs. I think he would have danced me around the church foyer if I'd asked him. He made me feel like the most important person in the room. I understand why he's your hope hero.

I think this blog is just about the most amazing one I've ever seen. Kudos to the designers and the author (Oh, wait. That's you isn't it?) :-)

And I'm SO GLAD your picture is on it! It is a TERRIFIC one! You look smashing, and it entices me to get to know you more. Congrats on another chapter in the book of you!

[Lucy Seay]

Hi, Holley! Thanks for the "Red Carpet" invitation. I'm reading...I'm excited for you...I'm loving it! I love your story about your grandpa. I had a bad fall in my late 20s and afterward I found myself afraid of falling again for the first time ever. Makes you feel old really quickly. I was inspired and challenged by your grandpa's attitude. I'm always thinking of you. I'm on Facebook now and enjoying keeping up with friends that way. Have you considered doing a page for yourself there? If you ever do, I want to be one of your first friends! Lots of love, Lucy

[Ashlee]

Holley - Thanks for sharing the photo of Grandpa Hollie. It is such a sweet pic. He is fabulous!

[Heidi]

I have a Grandpa Hollie, too! I've never heard of another man named Hollie. Your grandpa looks like a great guy!

[Phyllis]

Hi Holley,

I am touched my your relationship with your grandfather. I have never had a close relationship with any grandparent but your description of him as a hugger went straight to my heart because I am a hugger too. I have to grandchildren that I hug as often as possible.