Early this morning my grandfather passed away. In this sorrow filled time I have to admit I feel so incredibly grateful and blessed. Not because he is gone, but because I get to sit here at 31 years old and say that I had 31 years with my Grandpa! This is a blessing denied to many!!!! I will not let the sadness, loss and sorrow overpower my extreme gratefulness to have had my grandfather for so many year. Not only did I have him for 31 years I also can say I knew him! He was such a hard worker! He put in LONG HARD hours of work and I never heard him complain. He had faith!!! He was smart, determined, strong and yet a gentle man.
My grandfather was a quiet man. He did not say much. He was not much of a
talker. But when he did speak you listened. You didn’t listen because he demanded it, expected
it, or required it. You listened because
you truly wanted to hear what he had to say.
He was a smart man who had great knowledge and experience to share.
His hands….when my husband first saw them said they looked like
baseball mitts. They were the thickest strongest
hands I have ever seen….AND permanently stained from YEARS of HARD work! But those big, hands could calm any
baby! I am so grateful my children were
held in his hands and got to know him!!! They will always remember Great
Grandpa Ray!
As a kid I felt like my grandpa could make anything. He and my grandma did a lot of wood working
and crafts. I loved going out to their
farm to help paint. He would even do a lot
of the sanding for me. …shhh don’t tell grandma, she always told me I couldn’t
just do the fun part of panting I had to do the prep work also :) He would walk in, tell me I was working
harder then I needed to be, show me the right technique, and viola it was
done! I LOVED THAT! They both really nurtured my creative spirit!
He was a great man and I can’t imagine you will even find someone
to dispute that!!!
I love you Grandpa Ray and I can’t wait to see you again!!!
He sounds like an amazing man! So sorry for your loss:( Praying for your family through this time:)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. I lost my grandpa about a year and a half ago, and this post brought up those same feelings. It seems like maybe our grandpas had a lot in common. I'm sure I don't have to tell you it doesn't really get easier - my heart still aches sometimes like it was yesterday - but we were so very blessed to have them in our lives! Stay strong :)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Grandpa Ray. He sounds like such an amazing man, and what a blessing he was in your life! I lost all of my grandparents before I turned 20, but I really treasure the memories that I have of them. Hugs to you!
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