My best friend as a preschooler
For as Long as I can remember my Poppy Lovelace was my best buddy. He was a kid in grampa clothes and often played tricks on others and snickered about their reactions. I remember him calling at 430-5 am mornings when he was having breakfast prior to taking the train to Brooklyn Navy shipyards. He would whisper “Jute, Jute come on have a sugar bun and cocoa”I would pop up and join him and when he was almost ready to leave I would return to my bed for another nap. When he was home I would follow him and “help” him and ride on a moving dollie going from one work area to another on our property. He would spoil me and bring me toys and candy among other things from NYC and We would go to the train after the regular supper hour to get him from the train. He would eat alone and I would sit and keep him company. We were great buddies and though he was not a physically demonstrative person I knew he loved me and I know I loved him. He loved the ocean and I did too.
When I came home from the hospital with my first born Carol he cried when seeing her. It was the first and only time I ever saw him show emotion like that
When he had his last stroke, we kept him home and tended to him. He would call out in a semi lucid state and the last I heard of him was when he called “Jute, Jute” I did not go to him right away but when I did I found him in a coma and three days later he passed at home without ever being able to say goodbye. That is something I will always regret and never forget.
I love you Poppy and miss you.
jjldee64 