Grandpa

Last Sunday, as I was preparing the Primary Room and my sharing time lesson, before Primary started, I noticed I had just missed a call on my cell phone. It was my Mom and I knew it wasn't going to be good news. My Mom knew I was at church and on the previous day, she told me my Grandpa was admitted to the hospital. I immediately called her back and she told me that the hospital called my Aunt Janet and said my Grandpa had taken a turn for the worse and to gather the family. It was only a matter of time. Ten minutes later, my Mom called back and I knew he was gone. There was no need to hear the words, but I still answered the phone to hear exactly what I had already known.

It was at that moment that the tears began to fall, and the Primary children began to fill the halls. I also realized Homeboy had disappeared...again. It's a Sunday tradition with that kid!

I found Steve in the chapel, blubbered my way through trying to explain that Grandpa had passed away, Homeboy ran away, and Primary was about to begin.

Well I managed to pull myself together, found Homeboy playing in the library, and even taught my Sharing Time lesson.

Let me tell ya, it was a small miracle!

(Uncle Jerry, Grandpa and Grandma, my Mom, and Aunt Janet)

This last Thursday, I had the privilege of attending my Grandpa's funeral. My family was able to celebrate his life and share our memories and experiences we had with him. He worked hard and even more important, he had fun all the while!

Grandpa was funny! I think one of the things I will miss the most about my Grandpa is his humor. He was well known for his "colorful" sayings and nicknames. A table of pictures and many of his sayings were on display at the funeral. My Mom said she put her foot down when it came to displaying Grandpa's comments about Viagra. Awesome.

I don't think there wasn't one person, that Grandpa came into contact with, that he didn't say, "Well, if I had your fat wallet..."

Isn't this flower arrangement awesome?

My Grandpa had a infectious laugh and just hearing it, made everyone around him, laugh with him.

Grandpa also loved his vehicles! Family pictures were often taken in front of a truck or tractor. He obsessed over them and they were spotless! My younger brother Brian, once had the audacity to puke in one of his vehicles, when he was just a kid. Believe me, we were all saying a little prayer for Brian when he defiled Grandpa's beloved car.

He was a farmer and he loved it. The picture below captures this, perfectly. I love this picture.

I'm so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have such wonderful memories and experiences with my Grandpa. He was one of a kind and in one word - awesome.

I love you and will miss you Grandpa!