Henry's Namesake

Before Lance and I knew we were having a boy we were coming up with potential names.  We thought of making our little man a "third" or coming up with something totally new to our family.  Then last year our family lost Lance's grandfather Henry.  He was a wonderful man and we truly miss him.   Lance's Grandfather lived in Windsor, NC and since I joined the family he was so welcoming and always made me feel like one of the grandkids.  Lance has so many memories that I know he will share with our son but I too have some I would like to pass.


Four generations of Smiths with Henry holding Baby Lance

Some of my favorites are making and eating his delicious"candy" (which is the most fabulous peanut brittle I've ever had), taking long walks in the nature park in Windsor, and early morning breakfasts at the "grease house" (the best little home cooking restaurant).  Lance and I have so many other food memories from Windsor like delicious North Carolina barbecue, Henry's smoked chickens, Vivian's cucumbers and coconut cake, fresh picked blueberries, and cold Hershey nuggets from Henry's fridge. 

Henry's famous "candy"

Lance's Dad and Grandad on the trails behind Henry's house

Me and Sav playing in Henry's backyard

A few years ago, Henry built us a cradle for when we had a baby.  He asked us to send him a picture of something we liked and he would work on it.  I remember Lance saying..."don't rush...we won't need it for a while."  In Henry's style of course, he called two days later and said it was ready to go.  Just like all the wood work that he did...it was perfect and we will truly cherish it forever.

Savannah testing out the new cradle in Henry's shed

Lance and I missed Christmas in Windsor two years ago so we drove up for some quality time with Henry that New Year's.  It is probably my most cherished visit and was sadly the last time we got to see Henry.  During our visit, we learned all the tricks to make our favorite "candy" recipe.  We took many walks in the nature preserve and had quite a few pork tenderloin biscuits at the grease house. 

Breakfast every morning at the "Grease House"

We also had so much fun going through old family pictures and Henry told us so many stories about the people in the black and white photos.  We spent time spying on the deer that came to feed in his back yard and took a couple of slow drives around town..even catching a ride on the local ferry.  What was so nice about going to visit Henry was the comfort of knowing you were going to see someone you loved and you were going to relax and rejuvinate...not in a spa kind of way...but in a way where you switch to a  slower pace, enjoying the simple things, and taking time to appreciate family, good food, and nature.  There was never an itinerary for our trips up to Windsor, but somehow I have some of my favorite unplanned memories there.   

Lance learning the "tricks" to making Henry's brittle

When I first found out I was pregnant, I had so many dreams about our times with Henry in Windsor.  They were so vivid and I know he was watching over us and our baby.  As we prepare for Baby Henry, I pray that he will inherit many qualities from our Grandfather Henry.  I pray he will be calm and sincere, devoted to his friends and family, and will find something he loves to do in life and do it!  Lance and I will make sure that little Henry knows his Great-Grandfather as he grows up and becomes his own self...living up to his strong name!