Isn’t it funny how something so
random can bring about so many memories? This past week I made meatloaf in my
croc pot. Meatloaf was one of my grandfather’s favorite meals. As I smelled it
cooking throughout the day I thought of many fond memories with my sweet
grandfather. He loved owls, long before owls became anything more than the
background of a camouflage blanket. I believe he loved owls because he
contained wisdom much like the wisdom people correlate to the owl.
My oldest memory, or story, that I
love about my grandfather is from a time that my family and I spent at Disney
World. Although I am too young to remember the story myself my mom use to tell
of it quite often. If you know my mom, she steps out of the norm quite
frequently. This time she stepped out by having my brother and I dress as
Mickey and Minnie Mouse to attend Breakfast with the Stars at Disney World. We
were only 3 and 4 and she thought it would be “cute”. Little did she know the
fan fare we would receive from every character at the breakfast, how hard my
grandparents would laugh and how they would shine with pride through the entire
meal.
My fondest memory of my grandfather
comes from just a couple of years ago and just weeks before he passed. On a
sunny Saturday afternoon my sister-in-law and brother allowed me to spend the
day with my wonderful niece Mary Emily. This Saturday wasn’t just any day for
my grandfather; it was one of the most dreaded days of college basketball for
him. He didn’t particularly enjoy when UK played U of L, as he liked both teams
and didn’t really want to see either lose. Grandpa was eating with friends in
the dining area at the nursing home he lived at when my Mom and I walked in
with Mary Emily. He glowed! He became ever more excited when he realized Mary
Emily was also dressed for the game, in appropriate UK attire. He went through
the entire dining room, showing everyone his great granddaughter and telling
all of them she was UK’s cutest cheerleader. For a humble quiet man like
himself, this was quite out of the ordinary. However, nothing made him glow
quite like sweet Mary Emily.
We grandpa passed my heart hurt. I
had spent many weekends with my Mom, making the drive to Louisville to visit my
Grandparents. When he passed, I wouldn’t have any Grandparents there to go
visit anymore. As my Mom and I sat reflecting on his passing one day, I told her
I knew why Grandpa waited several years to go home after my Grandmother passed
away. My Mom asked, why do you think he waited? I certainly believe Grandpa wanted
to get to heaven and tell my Grandma, guess who I got to meet!?! Our great
granddaughter! Although I desperately wish that both of my grandparents could
still be here to celebrate life with, I have no doubt they are enjoying their
peaceful and healthy home with the Lord. As time passes I don’t really miss
them less, they simply make me long for Jesus more. Because where Jesus is, is
where my Grandparents are too!
