A Life Well Lived and Commandments Well Kept
When I tell you that sitting to pen this blog post for Pop’s 75th birthday was saddening but also joyful you’re probably confused. Well, my father-in-law, Weldon Henry Jamison, Jr., affectionately known as “Pops” was a giant to me. But I don’t just mean his height, I mean all the characteristics that embodied him were LARGER than life.
Weldon Henry Jamison, Jr. (Jam/Pops)
When I think about him, my joy comes from his laughter that could brighten any room. If you never heard a New Orleans native say “Hey baby…” you never walked into a room with Pops. He had this suave personality that could make any person, but especially a woman feel like she was the most beautiful person in the room. He used his words to speak life into anyone he met. He was funny, charismatic, loving, dependable and so much more. I think the best descriptor I have ever used in telling someone about Pops is that he was a gentle giant. And a well dressed one at that.
Pops would be ‘dressed to the nines’ for the simplest events; it wasn’t him overdoing it, it was just his style. I often times would have to request he come more casually dressed, because to him, any event was worth his best attire. Custom suits, fashioned well with monogramed dress shirts, size 14 complimentary gators, hat, belt, tie, pocket square, gold rings and a single gold chain with a dollar sign charm.
Why were those small details so important? They all made him. Pops loved jewelry, so much so that he had rings custom made for each of his grandsons. After Bryce’s birth, he had Mr. Glenn, our jeweler, make him a ring that he’d pass along to Bryce. And staying true to that tradition, with the birth of Myles, he had another ring made. Pops was all about the bling, and it only added to his debonair appeal. I would often tell him, he has never met a stranger. He walked into a room, and would approach any and every person within his sight line. And that’s what I am saddened by, that this larger than life personality, my second in command (when Demea traveled) is no longer present with us here.
But what brings me back to joy is knowing that every day he lived his life to the fullest. That he loved out loud and minced no words in it. You knew you were loved, because his words and actions aligned. To him, I was his favorite daughter-in-law, which I still don’t understand as I’m the wife to his only child. But he always used the adjective “favorite” in referencing me as his daughter-in-law. When we talked, he would often share I was the daughter he always wanted. Maybe because we were both passionate about those we loved, and would move mountains to support them. We shared common interest, definitely enjoying a southern style Sunday dinner or just being in communion with loved ones.
See Pops indulged every crazed food craving I had while pregnant with the boys; we’d have lunch dates at Raising Cane’s or Potbelly’s while pregnant with Bryce and for Myles it was Pappadeaux or just about anything. He was present in the room for every birth and every milestone that came there after. And it wasn’t just for his grandsons, it was for my siblings, my family and my friends. He’s been to countless graduations, holiday events, weddings, etc. Because to know Pops was to love him and to everyone he was family.
Here’s a story I don’t believe we shared on how we came up with the title to his farewell celebration. As we’re cleaning his apartment, we would find small pieces of papers of scriptures, notes, calendars detailing days he’d picked up Bryce, ran an errand for me, had a doctor’s appointment or choir rehearsal. He was always very detailed and organized about his day to day happenings. I came across a note in his handwriting that read “A Live Well Lived and Commandments Well Kept” and my heart smiled. After sharing with Demea, we both knew, this was it. This was what we’d need to share with his loved ones during his life celebration. They all knew this, but during grief and sorrow, we sometimes need reminders that the person we’re mourning did live a full life. And that my Pops did.
There are countless pictures and videos captured that we’ll forever reference during our hours of sadness in missing him. There are voicemails I have saved to just hear him say, “Mrs. Jamison”. On this day, what would have been his 75th birthday, I will reminisce in a Life Well Lived and Commandments Well Kept.
The legacy of Pops, will live far beyond his time here on earth. I think my resolution to put pen to pad is evident of his impact on my life. Rest well Pops, we will forever love you and cherish all the memories we have of you!
Your Favorite Daughter-in-law,
Shaemekia Jamison (@theHBCUmom)
