It's been two months since Charlie passed away and it is still so hard for us to believe. We know he is in a better place where there is no pain, however, it doesn't make it any easier. Jeff, Sophie, and I miss him terribly each and every day.
I really wish Charlie was here to see Sophie grow up. He would be so amazed at all the things she can already due at 2 years old. I honestly think she would have him rolling with some of the things she says or does. She and Charlie were the best of buddies and he loved Sophie with everything he had. We knew she meant the world to him and he was so happy to have the time he had with her. It wasn't until many of his close friends and some family told us that one of the main reasons for his fighting the cancer was because of Sophie that it really sunk in . Those two had a bond since the day she was born and probably even when she was still inside me.
I remember when I was getting ready to go to my doctor's appointment to find out what I was having and Charlie told me that he already knew I was having a girl. In fact, he told me that from the very beginning. Well, of course he was RIGHT!! His prediction might have something to do with the fact that most of the Rains' men and their sons tend to have girls first. Anyway, he was so excited to be there in the hospital when she was born and I am glad he was able to.
Jeff and I always made it a point to take Sophie to see Charlie and Joanne every weekend if not more. As she got older and was able to talk some she would always scream "Poppa" when we got off at their exit. When we would get closer to the house she would scream "Poppa", "MeMaw". As soon as we got in the house, she would look around the corner to make sure Poppa was sitting in his chair. He generally was and they would read books and play. Poor Charlie, he could barely speak, but he would do his best with reading her books that she brought him.
The last time Sophie saw Charlie was the Friday that he went into a coma. She was all about him being in the hospital bed and loved to talk to him. She even tried to cover his feet with her blanket that Friday, and as many of you know that blanket along with Sophie's letter and her picture are buried with him.
We knew it would be hard for us to see her go into the house and ask for Poppa after he was gone, but in her own way I think she knew. She did ask for him a lot in the beginning and sometimes still yells "Poppa" when we pull in the driveway. However, for the most part now it is just a yell for "Memaw". She does still talk to Charlie because there are pictures of the two of them around the house at levels that Sophie can spot.
I guess Charlie has been on my mind recently because Jeff told me last night that the headstone had come in at the cememtery. Anyway, it's very difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one, but with prayers and the love of family and friends we all get through it. Time will go on and things will seem normal once again, but Charlie will never be forgotten.
I have included a picture of Sophie and Charlie on her swingset. Charlie designed it and had my brother build it for her. I think this is the last picture of Charlie and Sophie together. Also included is a picture of the swingset itself. It is so awesome and she loves it!
Sophie and Charlie
