A gentle soul...

Today we received the news that our beloved Grandfather (Dh's Grandpa) passed away.

He had such a gentle soul, and was a genuine man. One of my favorite pictures is to the left. It was Thanksgiving of 2006, and the day was quite warm for that time of the year. So Grandpa sat with his Great-Grandsons just talking. They talked about when Grandpa was young and how different things were from today. The boys shared their philosophies on life, which Grandpa just had to smile and laugh about. He loved listening to the boys and he relished every word they said.

Here are a few of my favorite memories I have of this gentle giant...

• How he made me feel loved from the day I met him.
• On our wedding day he told me I looked so beautiful, and then he cried a little.
  
• His hugs. Grandpa had the best bear hugs!
• Listening to Grandpa about how proud he was to have Great-Grandchildren.
• His unexpected calls. He was always so excited to call and talk to us and the boys.
• Our unexpected visits, and the joy that would wash over his face when he saw us pull up. And he always had candy on hand for the boys.
  
• His words. He had a way of saying things in just a few words, but we all knew it meant so much more.

Grandpa has gone home...
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Matthew 25:21
As I struggle with the loss, his 10-year-old great-grandson (YDS) has put it into perspective the way Grandpa would have; so simply, but meaning so much more: " You know, sometimes we get to go to a friends house for a few hours, but then we have to come home after a while; that is kind of like our life on earth, sooner or later we have to go home."

We all need to remember we are just passing through, this is not our home, and when God calls for us we can finally go home. Love you Grandpa, we will be see you at home...