When You Love Someone

I will miss my Grandfather's smile. I will miss his sense of humor. I will miss his way with children. I will never forget the countless memories I have created with my Grandparents.
My Grandparents have been a treasure. As I have grown older I have come to appreciate their lives. My Grandparents were in love.
It is hard to let go of someone you love. Especially when you were given 67 years with that particular someone. Last night my Grandmother said good-bye to her beloved husband. After 90 long years on this planet he left this world and entered his eternal rest.
My mom is the eldest of their four children and I think it was a loving gift that the Lord allowed her to be there when he passed. My grandmother was there also. The nurse made room for her to lay next to my grandfather's side for his last breaths here on earth. What a sweet picture of their love. I am blessed to have witnessed such love.

My Grandfather suffered from dementia the last couple of years. He didn't quite understand how he could have black grandchildren but his love for them was so evident. On this particular visit we were having a hard time getting Brown Sugar to go to sleep. My Grandfather leaned over her and started singing Rock of Ages. First verse only...over and over again. His brain was starting to have glitches and he would be stuck on a particular song for days until his brain would click to the next song that would be with him for a period of time. I had tears in my eyes as I thought about how precious it was that he was remembering such sweet words.

My Grandfather fought in World War II. His stories were incredible and exciting for us all to listen to. He kept journals and drawings of his time in the Pacific Islands. Most amazing is that he was one of a group of men that worked at the Nevada Test site. This is where they would explode bombs and test radiation levels of such bombs. He would tell us tales of walking out onto the bombing site right after the bomb was exploded. The kick of the story? They were wearing civilian clothing. It really is amazing that he lived to be 90.

Because Eric was in the military they would talk for hours about airplanes, ships, and military life in general. Although I don't think it would really matter in heaven I would like to believe that Eric would have been one of the first to greet my Grandfather (along with my cousin Zach) and that they would promptly start talking about all things military again with a few poignant thoughts about the family that they left behind.
Such a beautiful dream that plays through my mind.

But in reality I am just so thankful for the years that I had with my Grandfather. I am thankful for the years of stories that he relayed to us. He did not grow up in a Christian home and yet produced two generations, so far, of progeny that believe in the Lord. I am a result of that heritage and am eternally grateful.

I know my Grandmother's grief. And yet I don't fully know how it must feel to live your whole adult life with the man you love and then have to say good-bye. Her burden of care taker has been lifted but the pain of loss will now fill its place. She has been the prayer warrior in my life. She has shared the Gospel through her life and has been a beautiful example of true womanhood. Now, I pray for her in her time of need and ask that the Lord would protect her and guide her through the valley of the shadow of death.
~Heather