What a Guy!

He was the proudest man in Sandpoint that sunny August day. Donned in a snappy ensemble of top hat, tails and walking stick, he hung out with the groom and the ushers while photos were snapped before the wedding.

He had cried tears of joy several months before when a tall young man with big brown eyes had appeared at his house in Boise on Christmas day in 2001, gotten down on bended knee, clutching a bouquet and a diamond, and asked for the hand of his beautiful granddaughter.

Later, on that August day in Sandpoint, he beamed from ear to ear while escorting lovely young Debbie down the aisle of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in that handsome suit he'd chosen to wear on this very special day. And, as he gave away his granddaughter, who was more like his own daughter, to her adoring Willie, he cried again.

He loved to tell jokes, sometimes a bit off-color, but along with the joke came the healthy laugh. Guy loved a crowd. He was a Southerner, reared in North Carolina, who had worked hard through his career for Coca Cola. He was enjoying a quiet retirement with his own bride of more than 50 years--Louise.

This past May, his buttons popped again when the Boise City taxi delivered him and Louise to Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University where they would sit in the audience of thousands, shedding more tears of happiness while watching beautiful, sweet Debbie march up to the podium and receive her college diploma. Later, as he'd done so many times before, he would join family and friends in the city park and sit back in satisfaction over another great milestone achieved in Debbie's life.

Guy and Louise Cheek invested much of their lives and abundant love toward their granddaughter, providing her a home and support. They also received an equal amount of satisfaction for the successful young lady she had become.

Debbie loved her grandparents so much she knew it would be difficult to bid them adieu as she headed off on her own life's journey after completing her education and moving to Spokane with that tall young man who loves her so much. She vowed that every chance possible, she'd go back to Boise to visit, and she did.

Guy is gone now. He died peacefully last night with his family surrounding him. Though his life has ended, it was not without the satisfaction of knowing the lovely granddaughter he so adored had made her way into the world as an independent, well-equipped and disciplined young lady. And, she'd made it through his love and support. Debbie had succeeded, and Guy could go on his way to eternity busting those buttons for a job well done.

This morning, I tip my hat to Mr. Cheek. What a guy!