My grandfather would have been 82 today.
When he passed away in April, I tried to gather my thoughts
and share them in a way that would both make him proud and clearly explain his
character and influence in my life. I have a propensity to lean toward poetry
as a means of expression, and over the last several months, I’ve tried writing
a phrase here and there. I’ve attempted to describe how he would always start
his prayers in exactly the same way. I’ve penned a line or two about his Sunday morning
wake-up songs.
At the time, in my adolescence, I didn’t appreciate that “the corn was as high as an elephant’s eye…” There were so many days that started with “Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling everything’s going my way!” Sometimes I wonder how my childhood and teenage years would have been different if I had embraced more of my grandpa’s steady optimism from the moment the sun came up.
At the time, in my adolescence, I didn’t appreciate that “the corn was as high as an elephant’s eye…” There were so many days that started with “Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling everything’s going my way!” Sometimes I wonder how my childhood and teenage years would have been different if I had embraced more of my grandpa’s steady optimism from the moment the sun came up.
I’ve attempted to
string together some words that would flow and describe the way he would always
suggest that Grandma stop for ice cream after picking me up from school. I’ve
typed a snippet about how creative and talented he was. He would beam with
pride after finishing a project. From wooden nativity scenes and Christmas lawn
decorations that he labored over for weeks to the panda bear paper towel holder
created just for me, it was a joy to watch him build and create. I’ve wanted to mention something about finding Bibles with the little Gideon symbol on the corner in
the drawers at hotels, or about seeing tiny New Testament Bibles placed in
random public locations, and how he played a part in putting them there and
into the hands of so many people in his lifetime.
I struggled with
expressing how I felt that Alzheimer’s had robbed him of the last part of his
life. The man who used to stand at his front door to greet me with a “Well,
here comes ol’ Amander” as I walked the short distance from my parent’s house, also
spent many of his last days quietly sitting in a chair looking out the big
living room window into the front yard, where a variety of birds would
gather to snag some seeds from the birdhouses and feeders. I remember his daily
routine of filling those birdfeeders, mindful to make sure there was enough for
any bird that landed to have its share. As I have attempted to formulate something that
would accurately describe all of the things that made my grandpa so great, I
have consistently felt like words are inadequate. I think that is why it has taken
me so long to express my gratitude for him.
On the day that he passed away, I was riding in a car with
one of my very best friends and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” started playing
on the radio. It was the first time I heard the song. I was overwhelmed by the
lyrics and I had a strong feeling that two words in this song perfectly
described my grandpa: humble and kind. The chorus says,
“Hold the door, say 'please', say 'thank you.'
Don’t steal,
don’t cheat, and don’t lie.
I know you’ve got mountains to climb,
but always
stay humble and kind.
When the dreams your dreaming come to you,
when the work
you put in is realized,
let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and
kind.”
More than anything, my grandpa taught me to love God and to
make every effort to love His people. He taught me the importance of supporting
those you love, the importance of lending a helping hand whenever you can, and
the importance of having humility in every situation that comes your way.
My family would gather often for reunions and several would
meet together for a time of singing and worship. We always sang a hymn that
will forever be one of my favorites. We sang the same hymn at my grandpa’s
funeral. My prayer is that we would take on this idea of togetherness that the lyrics below describe, and that each of us will do what we can, with what we have, with where we are to lift up our brothers and sisters, and not tear down the people in our lives.
“You will notice we say "brother and sister"
'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.”
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.”
As I share a little bit of my grandpa with you, it
only makes sense to conclude with a prayer that begins the way that he began
every prayer... “Our most gracious Heavenly Father…” Father, I thank you for the
life you give. I thank you for my grandpa and that he knew what it meant to
really live. Thank you for the examples that you place in all of our lives- the
ones who point others back to You. May we learn to use our time well.
May we consider Tim McGraw’s words and “don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line. And always stay humble and kind.”
May we consider Tim McGraw’s words and “don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line. And always stay humble and kind.”
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