Papa.

{ I had the honor of saying a few words at my grandfather's memorial service today. It seems only appropriate to share these words here. }

Many of y’all here today know Dr. Julian Alexander Salley in a unique way. I’m sure each person here has a different story or memory that highlights the various faucets of his life. I like to think I am one of the eight lucky ones because I got the privilege of knowing him as Papa, my grandfather. Something incredible about Papa - something I don’t think I truly grew to appreciate until later in life - was that he took every opportunity he could to teach the eight of us. Whether it was how to shuffle a deck of cards, hook a worm, reel in a fish, shoot a gun, have appropriate table manners, ride a wave, water ski behind the boat, appreciate a sunrise over the ocean, look up from our cell phones, swing a golf club, eat a lobster in its entirety or watch the birds come in at High Creek. Sometimes it was how not to text and drive, ride a motorcycle or get a tattoo. The list is truly endless.

But I believe the most important and precious thing Papa taught his grandchildren wasn’t through these little lessons of wisdom and adventure. Without even knowing it, Papa taught us how to love.

We watched him love his patients and the people he worked with - listening to countless stories from people all over South Carolina when they discovered we were related to the famous Dr. Salley.

We watched him love his daughter-in-laws as if they were his own - always opening his home, his dinner table, his vacations, his knowledge and his his arms to them.

We watched him love his sons - celebrating each of life’s milestones with them, unconditionally cherishing each of their strengths and weaknesses and always pushing them to be the best version of theirselves.

Papa never looked more alive then when he was surrounded by his family.

But most of all, we watched Papa love his bride, Granny Kat. We watched him love her deeply and truly. We watched him take care of her and listen to her. We watched him hold her hand at every opportunity and kiss her check whenever he could. We watched him open doors for her, serve her and walk by her side - literally as they walked down the beach or through the fields of High Creek and figuratively as they walked through all of life’s many joys and disappointments together. Granny Kat was truly Papa’s other half.

As we celebrate the life of this brave man today, I am able to smile through the tears knowing a piece of him remains with us - not only in the stories and memories of every person gathered here but also in the unending wisdom, life-giving smile and beautiful heart of our grandmother, Granny Kat.

We love you so much Papa. Thank you for all you’ve taught us. You are dearly missed.