In Memoriam

The funeral for my grandpa was held this morning. I was asked to say something at the funeral and the following is what I came up with:

I was asked to speak today because fourteen years and one day ago I gave a similar speech. I don’t remember what I said; I really don’t even remember giving the speech. I’m sure I didn’t have anything prepared, that I just winged it when the minister asked if anyone wanted to say anything. I had fourteen years to spend with my grandpa that I didn’t get to spend with my mom. You would think, then, that it should be easier to find something to say. It’s not.

Grandpa was loved and admired by a great many people. One of the things I always admired about him was his ability to talk to people. Grandpa could walk up to a complete stranger, someone he had never seen before and would likely never see again, and converse with them as if they’d known each other for twenty years. I think my mom possessed that ability as well; I don’t seem to have inherited that trait and maybe that’s why I admired Grandpa so for it.

Family was very important to Grandpa. It seemed like every time we got together, Grandpa’s camera made at least one appearance. But it wasn’t just Grandpa’s camera; oh no, it would be Grandpa’s camera followed in quick succession by those of Mommy and Aunt Melissa and if it was a really special occasion, by those of Andrea and Lois as well. I have a complete photographic record of my childhood from birth to age sixteen thanks to Grandpa. He and Grandma were there for every school function, always with camera in tow, and once the film was developed, Grandma and I went through all the pictures – and it always took forever! – and identified everyone for posterity.

Grandpa was a man of deep faith. He was a long-time member of the Gideons and I remember getting up early on Saturday mornings to go to prayer breakfast at Cristo’s with Grandpa and Grandma; that was always a treat. But as James 2:26 tells us, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Grandpa was not only a man of faith but a man who lived up to James 2:18: “Show me thy faith without thy works and I will show thee my faith by my works.” Grandpa volunteered for Hospice after my mom passed away, helping countless people deal with the loss of a loved one. He helped area farmers with planting and harvesting their crops. Grandpa was never too busy to lend a helping hand or a sympathetic ear. He counseled me on more than one occasion to turn my problems over to God and He would provide the solution. One of Grandpa’s favorite verses was from Psalm 46. Verse 1 states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Grandpa also hung onto John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'” At a time when I had lost my faith, Grandpa encouraged me to seek God and I know that Grandpa has found Him now.

Grandpa was one of the best of men. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a true friend. His life is one worth celebrating and emulating. I ran across a poem the other day that reminded me of Grandpa. We, too, will one day pass away as Grandpa has. Let us all hope that the following can one day be said of us:

Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard-working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.