I can remember when I first started coming around your house. I think Crystal was 16 or so. I canâ??t remember if it was Crystal or Jeni that I was talking to out front and Larry (aka pops Shepard) was in the garage or doing yard work or just keeping an eye on his girls but who ever I was hanging out with went in the house for something and I was out front by myself. Pops walked up to me with a serious look on his face, with a straight face and firm voice asked me â??So, what are your intentions with my daughtersâ??Me, being the smart ass Iâ??ve always been, looked him in the face and with a straight face and firm voice told him â??thatâ??s none of your damn business!â? (I thought he was going to kill me) we both stood there staring at each other for what seemed like forever then I smiled and started laughing. He smiled (kinda) and I put my hand out, introduced myself and said Iâ??m just a friend. He shook my hand and said we will get along just fine. The truth of the matter was I had a crush on both Crystal and Jeni, I was kind of a jerk back then and neither one of them deserved to have a jerk for a boyfriend (donâ??t know how they felt about me either) so being a good friend is what I became. Then as the years went on I they became my little sisters I never had. I love you very much Pops and I will continue to stay in contact with your awesome family and be there when they need me. Story two. A year after we were married (10,000 years ago) my wife threw a surprise birthday party for me. (Ok, I donâ??t like surprises and I donâ??t like presents. Iâ??m strange I know) of the many people in attendance were Pops and Nanette. They gave me a really nice 10â? skill saw. I acted really surprised and very happy to have received this. I remember pops telling me (something along the lines of) you are a husband, father and home owner now. You need one. If you already have one this one is better, and laughed. I think everyone did. That hit me hard. I mean I already knew all that but to hear it I was shocked. Anyway, over the next 30 years I have used this saw over and over and over. I keep it in good working order because what if Pops stops by one day and asks about it? Just this past week, I took the saw with me to the school I work at to build some new work benches for my bicycle shop. When I pulled the saw out of the bag it came in when it was given to me, I held it in my hand and I began to cry and have a little melt down. I love you so much Pops and thank you for the saw and more importantly allowing me to become a part of your awesome family. This saw will always be in good working order, I will still think of you every time I use it as I always have and although there are newer, better saws with more features out there now, this is the saw I choose to use because it came from you and from your heart. There are so many stories I have forgotten over the years theyâ??ve started with a one line joke / comment inserted into a conversation or making fun of a story that was just told. You are a one of a kind Gacky. You will truly be missed. Say hi to my parents and little brother for me if you happen to run into them. Until we meet again. Paul
