This week I said goodbye to my grandpa. He hasn't passed yet but he is so close. My children hugged and kissed their great grandpa. My dad, mom, sister, brother, myself, my kids and my aunt sang Amazing Grace to him. (my other brother was on a holiday with his wife). It has always been one of his favorites. It is amazing to think of the life of this man. He was very successful in all that he did. He was generous to family and loved us all so much. The memories are sweet growing up only a mile away. We'd ride our bikes or walk over to his farm to eat supper or to play. He would always challenge us. Everything from push ups, sit ups, walking on our hands to chin ups. He'd shout out the directions and then count as we did it. I can still hear his gruff firm voice echoing in my ears. Out on the tennis courts he'd turn on the ball machine and we'd hit those balls as he told us how to hit them harder. He'd praise us when we recieved honors in school and he would brag to all his friends. If we had a 90% average, to him it was a 95%. He was so proud of his grandkids. Out in the field I remember as a little girl feeding the cows and standing in the hay. We'd sit by the river and he'd tell us adventures of the Islands where he was a geologist. When we'd eat supper (spaghetti was always a favorite with grandma's Johnny cake) he'd share tales of WW2 and of how his brothers Don and Pat proudly fought and died for their country. After supper we'd all gather in the living room and watch Murder She Wrote as we pulled his hair. He said if we pulled it that it made it stronger. We'd get a whole 5 cents! Grandma would tell us how she had to chase him with the broom that day to whip him into shape.
I remember finding him in his reading chair memorizing his books. He had an amazing memory. He'd teach us sayings from his childhood and challenge us to memorize them. Just the other day my brother Doug and I recited it to him.
There are so many memories, I could sit for hours with my family and share for hours. But one of the most precious moments was when my grandpa asked his Saviour into his heart. He was in his 80's. For years we'd talk to him about the Lord. He never denied him and believed there was a God. But he would never profess him as Lord. I remember lighting a candle that day. And now as I sit hear and write I can just imagine that when he passes their will be candles lighting his way to His Saviour. The angels will be singing and he will see his beautiful Bride waiting.
Life is so precious and short. He still looks at us with eyes that are still wanting to seek more adventure. But his body is old and frail and it is time to go.
I'll forever take the great memories he has left with us.
I love you grandpa.
Your granddaughter
Barb
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