Altar
Call – Opelika-Auburn News
Walter
Albritton
July
23, 2017
A son’s memories of
his grandfather
My siblings and I are planning an Albritton
Family Reunion in August. There are now in the family 163 descendants of my
father. To help the younger ones, who never knew the man we called Papa, I am
assembling a book of memories written by family members who knew daddy.
One of my sons, Tim, serves as State
Forester for USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Auburn. As
you read Tim’s reflections, I think you will realize why it is so important
that we share precious memories of those upon whose shoulders we stand today. Here
now, in his own words, are some of Tim’s memories of his grandfather:
Growing up as a grandson in the Walter M.
Albritton (Papa) family was, to say the least, most interesting. If one of my
cousins would ever tell me they weren’t intimidated and a little fearful of
Papa, I would question their honesty.
Papa had a stern, disciplined way about him and
as a young boy, you didn’t want to be caught moving too slowly, or not reacting
at the speed he was expecting. If he asked you for the wire-stretchers you had
better know what they were or you would forever remember it after that day.
However, as I grew older, my relationship
developed into one of appreciation and less of fear. I learned to appreciate
Papa for his keen understanding of so many different things – farming,
mechanical, electrical, plumbing and wood working. The last one, wood-working,
is where Papa taught me the most because I have always had a natural God-given
interest and knack for working with wood. So I was interested in learning from
him and I did.
One of my first full-time jobs after college
was working as a carpenter building houses in Pensacola. I give Papa credit for
helping me acquire the basic skills and understanding to handle that job.
Years later after I was married and had two
children, Papa and Grandmother (in their late 80’s) invited Karen and me to
come and live with them while I went back to Auburn to finish my degree in
forestry. Papa had some projects waiting for me when we arrived and it was nice
to be able then to help him when he was not physically able to do the things he
wanted done.
And with most wood-working projects you needed
nails, and with Papa you could always count on that old paint bucket of old
used nails in the shop. And the shop was always kept locked with the key in his
pocket. Papa cared about his tools and he made sure if you borrowed something,
you put it back, and in the place where he wanted it.
Papa always carried a pocket knife; living on a
farm there is always a need for a knife. One day I asked Papa if he had ever
heard of swapping knives. He said yes, so I asked him if he would swap knives
with me. We swapped knives and I kept Papa’s knife for many years, cherishing
it as a keepsake from my grandfather. A year or two ago I gave it to my son
Joseph. I believe he is old enough to know that knife has great value. That
knife is not valuable because of the maker or the brand or the style, but
because of the man that carried it.
My grandfather had many honorable and respected
qualities. He was dependable, hard-working and God fearing; and he loved and
provided for his wife and family until he died in 1995 at the age of 93. I loved
him and I guess I am paying him the highest compliment you can pay an
individual – I am still modeling my life after his example. +
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