Today we got up and drove to Thorp for Grandpa Ed's memorial service. I was bittersweet to say the least.
Grandpa Ed passed away on July 25th (I believe) so we were prepped for this day - somewhat.
We got to look through many old pictures (and some newer ones too) that other relatives had and many from GE's personal stash. He probably had 5-10 copies of EVERY picture... no joke! It may sounds incredibly overwhelming (which it probably was for the ones who collected it all) but it was nice because then no one had to fight over who got what pictures!
There was a short service at the Thorp Funeral home and then we all went to the cemetary where his ashes were buried. Oh - back to the service, it was so nice to hear Randy speak about his father. I pray that someone there was touched by the words he shared.
The burial part of it was pretty surreal - I haven't been to a funeral since my great-uncle passed. That was awhile ago. Lucky for us, we had nice clouds - and for a brief moment, the sun did shine upon us... kinda like out of a movie - again, making it oh the more surreal.
After the burial we walked over to Millie's grave site. Millie was born in 1952 - she passed away not long after birth. I believe she was born 2 years after Randy? I can't quite remember....
As we were walking back to the car was when it hit me - I still have all four of my grandparents. For being a 24 year-old, that is pretty rare. What a blessing; but potentially making it all the more difficult to say goodbye. At this point is when I really started crying (I had gotten choked up many times before this....). I don't want to think about what that will be like when it really hits home - but my amazing husband reminded me of the AMAZINGLY UNIQUE legacy my Grandpa Paul and Grandma Marilyn especially have left me (and the other 7 grandchildren). As Judy has said, every person they (Paul and Marilyn) meet has a better day because of meeting them. They make EVERY PERSON they speak to feel important to them - because they ARE. They have the MOST caring hearts I have ever known.
Beyond this, I cannot even being to express what they mean to me. I know I am awful at correspondence, (which they are fabulous at) but I pray with my whole heart that they truly know how much they have impacted my life - and many others. Someday, when they get to meet Jesus, the angels will rejoice to have them home. Gosh heaven is lucky. I also pray that we can keep them here a bit longer. There are SO many people on this earth that could learn from their lives. I pray they can touch thousands more. I pray they can see their great-grandchildren someday - I pray my children would be that blessed to even be held by them, have a picture with them, to be read to by them; to BE like them.
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