Grandpa

The last couple of months have been HARD. I lost my precious and most wonderful grandfather on November 18th. I have not felt like blogging or doing anything else for that matter lately. I am not a good writer, so I've been dreading this post for fear that I would not do him justice for the amazing man that he was. However, I feel like I can't blog about anything else until I honor him, so I'll do my best. I miss him. A lot. I was lucky enough to get to see him the weekend before we lost him. He had a bad stroke a week before so Rachel, Chris, and I all met in Fargo. We had lots of laughs and good times with him. There were also hard times. He was hurting. At one point I could literally hear him cry out to God. It was so hard but also so comforting to see his faith was so deeply etched in him that even when we was not really with us mentally, he still had God to comfort him. He had 95 wonderful years and 69 years of marriage. I know I'm blessed to have had that long with him. He was the stereotypical grandfather with always a lap to sit on or hug to give. He could fix anything and helped me build my 8th grade science project. I had to privilege of talking to him every Sunday night since my freshman year of college- 12 years. I'm so glad I got that. When we knew we were going to lose him, I made a list of my favorite things about him. Obviously, I could fill up pages and pages, but these are some of the highlights.
-always answering the phone "hello Sarah" when I called without caller ID
-since I was little, they read the devotional "Daily Bread" every day when they were able
-he was the cookie baker and grandma was the cookie maker
-walked into his house every time he left with "Hello house". It drove grandma crazy
-listening to "Night Sounds" radio program every night
-skilled jeweler and small business owner of Crown Jewels that my cousin now owns
-his big, loud laugh
-he lost his eyesight to macular degeneration years ago, so he had a watch with a button that told time. He always pressed it at inappropriate times like church or family convos. My cousin said it perfectly when she pointed out during his funeral that thing probably would have gone off had he been given the chance
-squeezed my hand tight
-going to Paradise guest ranch where he had a horse named "Bones" who ran him in to trees frequently and tried to get him off
-talented artist
-naming all his cars
-the motor home and all the fun times and trips when had in it and the licorice jar above the driver's seat
-"Be present at our table Lord" blessing
-loving baseball and especially his grand children's  games
-walking upstairs from the basement when I went to visit by myself and hearing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" on the radio
-he loved unconditionally and met anyone where they are

 

I love you so much Grandpa and miss you every single day. My life is forever changed for the better because of you.