He still holds down the fort on Pactolas Road by himself. He did give me a scare the other day when I stopped by his house. Both vehicles were there, but no answer by him on the cell or home phone. And the lights in front of the house where off and it was 4 pm. I went to the neighbors house to ask if she had seen Daddy out that day, and she said "no". She promptly headed out her door and around the back making sure I stayed in the front yard. In just a few seconds she had found him in his 'cave' aka known as "the place of tomatoes." There he keeps as many tomatoes for as long as he can along with other sundry items stored there (some of which we were told not to tell Momma about!). Mom only ventured down in the basement when no one else was there togo get something she needed.
When we found him in the basement amongst his tomatoes, he said he was "making ice cream for my own party and listening to the radio," And he had his cell phone on vibrate!. I had called Karen to alert her and she was coming right over. I was so glad to tell her we found daddy downstairs and she did not have to come. Jim Good was gonna make it to his birthday party after all!
You know something? Daddy really deserves the admiration so many people have for him. He is kind, caring, and doesn't know a stranger. As far as being kind, he is kind in the most unusual ways; he enjoys giving others tomatoes or apples from the market. He also will make some homemade ice cream whenever Karen asks him to do so. He has even made ice cream in January just for Karen's birthday! He doesn't crank the ice cream by hand but he whips up some really good plain vanilla ice cream most times. He has botched a few batches of late when he wasn't sure if he put in all of the ingredients. We forgave him and told him every one is allow to goof up a batch every now and then.
It has bothered me for years that my dad worked shift work for years and missed many band concerts and sport events, but I realized that was his way of caring for his family. He worked hard and long at Eastman and raising tobacco to fund our Christmases and vacation for many years. He even tried his hand at college on the GI bill just so we could go to Florida/Disney World one year.. Turns out that algebra and Daddy just never did click.
And the other thing I admire Daddy for is the way he honored his parents and took such good care of mom when she had cancer. He also lost a good friend to cancer too--Ken Sells. He and Daddy were a hoot, and I do believe he was one of Dad's dearest friends. In fact Ken's youngest daughter, Kim has the same birthday as Daddy. She saw our selfie we took at his party at Karen and Steve's home and Daddy said she called him to wish him a Happy Birthday! It really did make his day, he told me. Thank you Kim!
So here this is...getting finish a month after his birthday. Since then he has had an implant put in his back to help with the pain he has down his leg and is doing well with it! I told him that we would give them fits on an airplane if both of us traveled together now (since I have brain implants). I would like to tell him "Daddy you are the BEST!!!!", and "I hope this coming year brings lots of good things your way!"
If you happen to run into Jim Good, mention that you read about him on the internet. His reply will most likely be "What did Judy or Karen write about me now?" He really likes it, I think...getting some attention, so we will oblige him! Love you Daddy!
Judy 10/26/16
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