Grandpa

Isn't it wierd that everytime I now see a cute old man I think of my grandpa. It makes me miss him a lot, the realization of never seeing him again is tough.
I wanted to share what I wrote to be read at the viewing and family services since I couldn't be there.

Grandpa!
Well, as many of you know I would love to be here with you more than anything,

but once again things beyond my control prevent that from happening,

and I know that God has allowed it for a reason.
I am so thankful for the many years and memories I have of grandpa, one of the most precious memories I have of Grandpa was when I came to Canada for a few weeks a couple years ago; it was a sweet time of just me spending time with grandpa. We went for a drive and he took the long back gravel roads home and explained every road. When he grated it, what he and grandma were doing at the time, funny stories of the kids and of course there were always great stories about riding horses, dating grandma and snow so high you couldn’t see the houses.
We went to the farm house – took some pictures and just remembered,

I could listen to him tell stories all day long.
Tuesday morning I was at home with Troy and I just needed to find a picture, to see him again. I found a few wonderful pictures, of us at the farm house as kids, the house in Humboldt, family reunions, playing the fiddle, my college graduation, seeing how he cared for and loved Grandma unconditionally. The one picture in particular grabbed my attention, the one of the old farm house, it may not even be there any more but in this picture it was pretty much just a collapsing structure with piles of flooring, walls and old appliances inside. It reminded me that things of this world will and do not last, our relationship with God, family and individuals are what matter and

that my hope isn’t in this world but in Jesus Christ.
He is the only one that can satisfy and the only one that can comfort in a

time where we lose someone we love so much.
Grandpa was more than a grandpa to me, he was my protector, provider, a father when I needed one, he was faithful to us (his family), he amazed me – he could find the string in the middle of the match, pull it and magically cause it to break in two, he put me to bed, took me to school and tried so hard to help me with math. He loved me at a time in my life

when love was all I needed and wanted.
I will miss this man we all called Grandpa, Dad, Brother, Fiddler, Bowler, Golfer, Grader and Friend. I pray we all reflect on his life and his death and realize that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. May we live every day as it is our last, and remember what is most important, our Great God and our precious family.
I love you all!