I remember......how he would mow a path through the hay field so that we could run down the hill from our house, over the creek and up through the hayfield to his house....all in about 30 seconds.....creating a passageway so that we daily cross to come visit and explore......
I remember getting chocolate milk out of the crates in the big walk-in coolers in the milk house....nothing ever tasted so cold...
I remember watching when my Pap would "burn trash"......it would collect on the farm for months and then there would be a fire as big as the barn.......I always watched from a distance because I was a little scared! (And yes...I found out as an adult that they burned MUCH farm memorabilia that I would have considered priceles trash!)
I remember how much he dearly loved my Grandma....after so many years he still would kiss her and hold her hand....their Bibles were always next to each other....open...from daily praying for each of us....his prayers brought me through so much....more than I will ever even know on this side of Heaven...
Most of all I will remember what we found after his death while cleaning out his belongings....scraps of paper found in his Bible....glovebox of his truck......drawers in his desk....
You see....my Pap knew that at some point he was going to be facing Altzheimer's....he was very much aware of that and there were things that he just didn't want to forget.....but it wasn't the "normal" things like addresses, phone numbers, or names....
....instead those scraps of paper contained scriptures, prayers, poems......reminders of what was my Pap's True Love.....Jesus.....he had them tucked everywhere in case one day he would "forget".......that was what was most important to him to remember....
Ironically, we didn't lose him to Altzheimer's......but still, we lost him too soon.....but honestly, I don't think there would have ever been a right time.....he was too precious to all of us....
But the thing that he leaves us is a legacy......a legacy of a life full of faith in and love for Jesus....
That is the desire of my heart......to leave that legacy for my children.....
Thank you Pap for being an amazing example of that.....
7 comments:
Your story about your Grandfather made me cry! What a wonderful man....he definately knew what was important in life! You have some amazing memories to hold on to!
What a nice tribute:)
Nikki, that was beautifully written. I am blessed to have been a part of his life and your family's future! Love, Nicole
Nikki, thank you for sharing your memories and tribute to your Grandpa. I am blessed to have been a part of the same kind of beautiful family of faith as well. So thankful!
what sweet words about a legacy leaver...and good reminders to me about what i want to pass on to my children and grandchildren.
alison
What a sweet post! I had a precious Grandpa like that too. He died when I was 14 and I still miss him so much! What a great legacy they've passed down to us!
So sweet, Nikki. It brought a tear to my eye and really brought back a rush of feelings from my grandfather passing this summer. Remember, I actually met you the day after he passed! Talk about timing! You were so lucky to have been blessed with such a wonderful grandfather!!
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