This summer my sweet Grandpa passed away. He was the most amazing, hardworking, loving, kind, spiritual, family oriented, and the greatest Grandpa I could have been blessed with. I was privileged to know him and call him Grandpa. He was such an example and so much fun to be around. He always gave the best hugs and always made sure everyone was having fun and taken care of. He called all the girls sis. And those of us with blond hair, he called Blondie. He was always laughing and joking.
I remember when we would go visit on Sunday afternoons, if the conversation got dull grandpa would start teasing me about my toes. (I have thee ugliest toes of all mankind. They're like a second pair of hands) and grandpa would tease me and tell me that I didn't need flippers to go swimming, I had them built in! Haha
Grandpa and grandma have this giant tree in theit backyard. And growing up, everyone wanted to climb it. But grandpa's rule was that you had to climb up the tree by yourself, and get down by yourself. I remember trying for hours and days on end trying to climb up the tree to be with the big Kids. And how cool I felt when I was finally big enough to climb it.
There was this one time, we were up camping and I was about 8 or so at the time. I don't know why, but I decided to touch the top of a gas Lantern. And burnt my hand. I was crying, it hurt SO badly. And I remember grandpa taking me into his trailer and taking care of my blistering hand. He spoke in strong, but gentle tones. He was always reassuring. You knew without a shadow of a doubt that you could trust him. You knew that grandpa would take care of you and that everything would be okay.
I was blessed to have him confirm me a member of the church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We went camping to Steamboat Lake in Colorado. A lot of my mom's side of the family was there. My dad baptized me in the freezing cold Lake water. And my grandpa confirmed me in my grandparents trailer. My grandma played the piano (keyboard). It was perfect. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
My grandpa was a patriarch in his stake, and I didn't get my blessing in time to have him give it to him before he started having memory problems. But grandpa and grandma drove up to Logan, where I was getting it and listened and were there with me. That meant so much to me having them there. I can't tell you how much I look up to my grandparents. They are such a great example. It was really neat after I was given my blessing, because everyone went around the room and said something about it and how they felt. I won't go into details but it was really neat to hear everyone's feelings, especially my grandparents.
I remember when I was younger always wanting to sit on grandpa's lap. And if you did he would tickle your face with the ends of your hair. And even though it tickled you wanted grandpa to do it. Haha weird kid stuff..
Grandpa was always pulling faces. Especially at all the kids. He always made time for his grandkids and great grandkids. He had a way of making everyone feel important and special.
Grandpa used to have these reclining long chairs that were on the back porch. And when we came to visit, sometimes he would be take a snooze. He'd have his hat over his face, and you'd hear his gentle snore/breathing. And you would creep up to try to scare grandpa, but he always ended up scaring you. Somehow he always knew when you were coming.
I think the greatest legacy that he left behind was his love for his family and his love for the Savior. My grandpa always made sure that his family was taken care of. That they knew how much he loved them. I loved watching him with my grandma. They are perfect for each other. Grandpa was always making sure his "toots" was okay. That she had everything she needed. I can't remember a time when they weren't holding hands if they were together. And grandpa was so funny when he would tickle grandma. Grandma would tell him "knock that off Colen." and he would, for about 30 seconds. And he would just be grinning his big grin and grandma would start laughing. They were the cutest thing. I hope and aspire to have a marriage like theirs. You could always see the love that they had for each other. They were kind and loving towards each other.
Grandpa exemplified the Savior in a way that I hope I can someday. He served in many different callings. And he was trustworthy and dependable. If he said he would be there, he would be there. No matter what. He taught through his actions and how he spoke. You knew that the gospel was important to him. And you could feel the spirit being around him.
Even though I know that he's where he needs to be. And that it was his time to go. I still miss him so much. Saying goodbye to him was one of the hardest things I've done. I have the outline for his funeral that has his picture on the front in my kitchen. And it's hard knowing that I won't see him again for a long time. But I do know that I will see him again. And I know that he he carrying on the Lord's work and spending some much needed time with his family. I know that they missed him. He was the last member to join them on the other side. And I just have to be a patient the same way his parents and siblings were when they were waiting for him. I know that I will see him again and that he'll give me a nice, big hug, the way that only he can, and tell me hi sis, love you.
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