Auld Lang Syne or New Year's Day always meant something different to me

Auld Lang Syne loosely translated means long, long ago or for old times sake. This day always had a totally different meaning for me because it was my PePaw's birthday. He was born long, long ago on Jan. 1, 1914. So today would have been his 98th birthday. My mother would argue that once you are dead, you no longer have a birthday. Point taken. But it's not like you are just suddenly going to erase this from your memory. For old times sake, let's have memories of my Pepaw for his birthday.

Earl Joseph Schexnayder was the oldest of the six children of Maurice and Lydia. On Dec. 8, 1914, his sister, my crazy great aunt Mildred was born. One born on New Year's Day & one on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. A good way to start and then end 1914.

I am the oldest grandchild. My Pepaw obviously loved me since he let me turn what should have been Grandpa into Pepaw. I was only 17 when he died at 76. My sis was 14, my oldest cousin was 10 and his twin brothers were 5. I know I'm lucky enough to have the most and best memories of him. I try to tell them little tidbits here and there so they feel like they knew him a little better..

My Pepaw was dead serious about education. He went to night school to earn a bachelors, masters and law degree. I was worn out after a bachelors degree! I NEVER thought IF I would go to college, it was WHEN I went to college. It was not an option not to go. Period. It's a shame he never even saw me graduate from high school. Pepaw would have been happy that 4 out of 5 grandchildren have bachelors degrees.

My Pepaw was a very faithful Catholic. He had a brother that was a priest for Pete's sake. He said the rosary every night before he went to bed. Every night. Even when he would make what seemed like an annual trip to the hospital, 1 of the first things he would ask my Gran to bring him was his rosary. My Pepaw would say to me that he was offering up his suffering to God as prayers. I remembering thinking, don't you think you've reached your quota yet?

In fact, he was immediately worried about my eternal soul when my parent's didn't give me a saint's name. My Pepaw knew I would be condemned to eternal damnation. Thank God, pun intended, his brother, the priest saved the day. He said, "Earl, Monique is a form of Monica & there is St. Monica". Amen Uncle. Amen. My parents didn't make this mistake when they named my sis.

My Pepaw loved to go out to eat. We went almost every Saturday night. He really loved to go to the Gulf Coast and eat seafood. He would then often take us to Marine Life. Remember that place with the dolphin show?

My Pepaw, who was mostly serious, could often be such a good sport. He had lost hearing in 1 of his ears at a young age & as he got older was losing it in the other. He wore a hearing aid in that ear. Whenever my sis & I would ride in the car with him he usually had on talk radio. Not really on a kid's request list. I would say, "Pepaw, can you turn down your hearing aid so we can put on our radio station?" and he would! That's love.

Notice I keep saying "my Pepaw"? I feel I coined it so I owned him! I kinda did.

My Pepaw's 1 request for his birthday cake every year was a pineapple upside down cake. I don't exactly know why. I'll have to ask my mother if she knows. I always thought it was an odd choice of cake but hey, it was his birthday.

On today, Jan. 1, I choose to remember that a long, long time ago and for old times sake, that the greatest Pepaw ever was born. And I don't care what my mother says, I say it's still his birthday.