Chopsticks Times 6: In Memory...

Well, my goal for 2022 was going to be to get blogs out in a more timely manner. Little did we know that January 2022 was going to throw us a HUGE curveball! David Owen Sheddan, otherwise know as Dad or Papaw, got sick in Malaysia. He and Mary flew back to the states to receive treatment, but so so quickly, God took him home. There will be a huge whole in the lives of so many, but we also know that because of this man we will meet so many more brothers and sisters in heaven. I chose this to be the first picture because it was his dream. He was going to retire and hike the Appalachian Trail. Yes, the entire thing! When we told the kids the devastating news, literally the first thing they said with tears in their eye was "we are going to hike the Appalachian Trail for him." Secretly, all along, several had planned in their minds to join him (whether this would have been reality or not) He loved his kids and grandkids and always had so much fun with them. I hope this tribute in pictures gives you a glimpse in to his life.

teaching the kids to fly akite

the CRAZIEST Great Wall experience ever! There were thousands of people on the wall and it was so crowded. Everyone wanted to touch the kids, too.

This cracks me up. Lauren wanted to hold Papaw's Diet Coke and he was hold her "wah wah's"

David and Mary came and stayed with the kids for several days so that Jonathan could take me on a surprise birthday trip to New York City! They went on many walks/hikes.

He loved the paper profile cutout that some random guy on the street was doing of everyone walking by, hoping that someone would buy it from him.

He always had time for a game, but watch out if you play Monopoly with him! The kids say he cheats...hahaha! Really he just makes lots of trading deals that are good for him ;)

teaching the kids to make a rubberband jumprope

If you look closely, you can see a dark blob in the shadows. That's Papaw playing tag with the kids in our apartment complex.

One of our many airport goodbyes

Always had time for a board game

Papaw and Regan

Tubing in the Smokey Mountains

Yoyo was a little nervous that she would fall. He said he would take care of her.

The tea fields in Malaysia

Hudson and Papaw

hiking to the top of the mountain in Zhuhai...i wish I could see the pictures from his camera ;)

Benjamin was almost as tall as Papaw

Father's Day in China

One of my favorite photos of Mary and David

Kuching, Malaysia...we never went there, but the kids had shirts from Mamaw and Papaw from there!

His lap just wasn't quite big enough.

Always helping others

enjoying the outdoors with Emily

David, his mother Edith, and brother Charlie

Celebrating birthdays in Malaysia

Another birthday in Malaysia (same trip)

Mamaw and Papaw wanted to take the kids on the ferris wheel in Hong Kong. It was the only time the kids got to ride it. They had fun.

Eating dinner in Thailand...the waitresses had never seen such a large family and asked for a picture with us. The name on our table didn't say Sheddan, but said "BIG HAPPY FAMILY" :)