I wrote this a couple of weeks ago and never actually posted it. It's now slightly out of context but still really meaningful to me, so I wanted to go ahead and include it here.
I am currently driving (well, riding) in the van in what I hope to be the final hour of a very long day of traveling home from CO. As I play solitaire on my iPad, it's not long until I find my mind drifting to happy memories of my precious grandpa.
I guess it's been 3 years now since he passed. Is that right? How can that be? I can still imagine hugging his skinny little waist in his button-up shirt and feeling his arms around me as I soak in the comfort that comes from being with someone who loves me so unconditionally.
The funny thing about my memories of him is that they come to me so randomly. Playing cards is an obvious one. Cutting up a salad was always his job, so that's a frequent reminder. Every time I see it, I always like to imagine that the Cheshire-cat grinning moon that was out shortly after he died is him looking down on me and smiling like only his ornery self could do. Wiping off my table after meals reminds me of the time he told me he would get some caulk and fill in the ridges in my table that, while I love them for the way they look, he found obnoxious because they collected crumbs. I have many other random memories, but, the funny thing is, every random memory is a happy one.
The reason I started writing these thoughts, though, is that I was struck with the thought that I only have vague recollections of ever seeing him quietly reading his bible. This is certainly not to say he didn't do it. My grandma is probably screaming in her head right now as she reads this. The point is, I'm certain this is something he did, it's just not something that I remember seeing.
What I do remember is that he lived his bible. Any time I am asked to think of someone in my life who I've seen model Christian wisdom, strength, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, he is my example. Wow! When I started that list, I really didn't even plan on going through all of the fruits like that. But as I started them, they just kept rolling out and I found myself marveling that they were all true. What an amazing legacy.
Oh how I miss that beautiful man. I am so very thankful for who he was and for who he continues to be for me - a true inspiration. A tangible, touchable, huggable example of God's love here on earth. How I long to be with the source of all that beauty.
