Heaven and Red-eye Gravy

When I was in high school,one of my first jobs was as a go-fer for my Grandpa Tom in the oilfield.  I first worked on Saturdays during the school year with Grandpa.  We just did the odds and ends jobs that were left over from the week.  I think the main purpose of the job was to activate my "mechanical genes."  For some reason, I just never got it.  My brain understood the concepts, but just never connected it with the job at hand.  Electronics, I got.  Even electrical problems.  Not mechanics though.  Those aptitude tests where they show a gear turning one direction and ask which direction the fifth one in the series will be turning?  I'd get better results with a coin toss!  Grandpa tried to teach me some.  To his credit, I did learn to use some of the tools.  And how to work hard.  

I remember laying for what seemed like hours underneath one of the old trucks trying to figure out where to put the starter I held in my hand.  And I had just removed the old one!  I finally got it just a few minutes before he got back.  And to my relief, it even worked.  

One of the best benefits of working for Grandpa Tom, was lunch.  We came home everyday for lunch, and Grandma Mae could cook lunch.  No cold sandwiches or even leftovers.  She really cooked lunch.  My favorite was her chicken-fried steak and homemade biscuits.  One day, we had the best gravy ever.  When I asked her what was different, she said it was "red-eye gravy."  Red-eye gravy substitutes coffee for some of the milk in the gravy.  I think red-eye gravy is proof that there is a heaven.  Anything that good had to be divinely inspired. 

Grandma Mae joined Grandpa Tom in heaven yesterday.  I hope they are enjoying a good meal that includes red-eye gravy.