A Grandson and His Grandfather
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
Today, I want to share something deeply personal, a piece of my heart and a cherished memory that connects the past with the present in a way that fills me with both joy and longing. My daddy, Jimmy Greene—known to his grandkids as “Jimmy Mac”—left this world on December 3, 2016, after a brave fight with lung cancer. Just three weeks later, on December 21, 2016, my only son, William Greene Sullivan, was born. We call him Liam for short, and from the start, my husband Chris and I have felt so strongly about keeping my dad’s legacy alive for our son, giving Liam a connection to the grandfather he never had the chance to meet.
Jimmy Mac’s Hat
Recently, when Bailey recreated some of her childhood photos, I took the opportunity to have Liam take a few photos as well. I wanted him to have a reminder of the man his “Jimmy Mac” was—a man of humor, strength, and a love for the outdoors. For this special photo, I had Liam wear one of my dad’s old straw hats. It’s the same hat that shaded his face while he drove his tractor, cut the grass, or spent hours fishing by the pond. In fact, whenever Jimmy Greene was outside, that hat was there with him. Now, it hangs in the window of my master bathroom, overlooking the pond and front deck—two places where my daddy spent so much time.
I asked our photographer, Nikki, to make the picture of Liam wearing that hat in black and white. There’s a black-and-white photo of my dad wearing that same hat, and I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of him in my son’s face. And there it was—a scrap of similarity, something that transcends time, connecting my son to the grandfather he never met but hears so much about all the time.
At just seven years old, Liam already carries so much of Jimmy Greene’s spirit within him. He’s funny and charismatic, with a knack for making people smile—especially the ladies! He loves the same things my daddy did: farming, fishing, and FOOTBALL.
William Greene Sullivan (Liam) James Douglas Greene (Jimmy)
If he were old enough to shoot hoops, I know that would have been a dream come true for my dad. Basketball was something my daddy and I shared countless hours doing on the old dirt court behind our house. It was on that court where he taught me so much—not just about basketball, but about life, resilience, and the importance of family. Afterall, it was basketball that brought my parents together, and Daddy used our time on the court to remind me just what an awesome player my mama had been. These memories are my prized possessions.
Daddy, I hope you can see Liam from where you are. He may not know you personally, but he loves you deeply through the stories and memories we share. He looks up to you, just as I always did, and I have no doubt he would have worshipped the ground you walked on if you two had been able to meet. I miss you every day, Daddy, and I hope you know how much of you lives on in Liam.
To everyone reading, thank you for allowing me to share this part of my life. Family is everything, and I am endlessly grateful for the ways our loved ones stay with us, even when they’re gone.
#RememberingJimmyGreene #LegacyOfLove #FamilyMemories #FatherAndSon #GenerationsConnected #ForeverInOurHearts #JimmyMac
I feel this post beautifully captures the love, legacy, and spirit that live on through Liam. Let me know if you all could feel the love and the nostalgia and the tears I felt while preparing for this blog post! Comment, like, and share!
The Aging English Major 