Saturday, March 15, 2008

Grandpa's Home

My heart is saddened that we can not be with our family right now. Brian's Dad's Dad went to meet his Maker on Thursday afternoon and the funeral was today. Brian and I are still in MD because their were no flights that were doable for us (Brian) to get home.

Grandpa's funeral is going on as I type this so I thought I would do a mini tribute to him.



When I first met Grandpa, Brian and I were dating. They (grandma and grandpa) soon started attending our church where grandma played the piano and grandpa teased everyone that came into the doors of the church. If you were never teased by this man then he probably didn't like you.

Early on he had a nickname for me, Fatso. From the first time he called me Fatso to the last time I heard it (Christmas 2007), I never grew tired of hearing it, in fact I came to expect it. I can't remember him ever using my name when talking to me after he started that nickname.

I sure hope Jesus got the memo about Grandpa liking his coke in the old fashion glass bottles. You know they taste better in glass bottles or at least Grandpa says they do. I think he may already be telling Jesus how he should be running things up there. I hope he asks Jesus if it is a sin to buy a dog (going joke in our family because Grandpa thought that it was a sin to buy or sell dogs or maybe any animal but I only remember hearing the dog part).

I loved Grandpa very much and life will be much different for our family without him but I am so glad he is with Jesus now. I know he has to be glad not to have any illness, problems breathing or problems getting around.

I was truly never treated any differently than his grandchildren. I felt the same compassion, love and acceptance from him towards me as he gave to his biological grandchildren. In fact, if I walked past him (even to put something down or put my coat away) he would say, "Fatso didn't even hug my neck" loud enough for everyone to hear it. I would then make my way over to give him hugs (I would have never forgotten to hug him anyway).


I am sad that Mili and Sadie won't remember him but we have many stories and a few pictures to pass on to them.

Christmas 2007

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful Alice, and again we are sorry for your loss, but at least the family and friends of Bro. Denver can take some comfort in knowing that he is now happy, healthy and with our Lord.
Take care of each other, lots of Love,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Alice and Brian,

Grandpa's funeral was a moving rejoicing here that he is home with his creater and father. He would not want us to cry for him, but share tears of joy. We all missed you all here to be with us. He is peaceful now, he is not in pain, he is healthier now than he has been. Take care, and God bless you all.
Denny (djohnston1981@suddenlink.net)

Anonymous said...

Alice and Brian,

My heart is also saddened by the loss of your grandpa (my brother-in-law), but it is also rejoicing in the fact that we know where he is today, and we know he has no more pain, suffering, no sorrow, and you are right, he is probably telling Jesus how to serve Coke.

My prayers are now for Myrtice and the rest of his family as they go through their grief. I have traveled this road, and it is not easy, but knowing God is watching over all of us will help them so much.

Love,
Norma

Blessings All Mine said...

Sorry for your loss. That was a nice tribute!

LeLe said...

My condolences, Alice and Brian. At least you can take comfort in the fact that you know he is HOME!!!

Anonymous said...

I know how both of you wanted to be here. Sometimes things just don't work out. The service was good and you would have been so proud of Dad. God even sang(it was me standing there yet it was Him singing). I could never praise Him enough for all the comfort He brought the family. Our family, Jon's family,Cathy's family,Michelle's family, Randilyn, and Aunt Kathleen attended Sunday Service with Myrtice. She played the piano beautifully. She is such a rock. She is so proud that Brian sang at his grandfather's funeral on tape.It brought such comfort. She couldn't wait to call him.Please know that we love you. Mom B

DAD said...

ALICE TELL BRIAN AND THE BOTH OF YOU HOW MUCH WE ENJOYED THE PRAYERS THAT I KNOW THAT YOU BOTH GIVING UP TO GOD, I FELT IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FUNERAL. MY BROTHERS SAID THEY REALLY HAD RESPECT FOR ME THAT I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK AT THE FUNERAL BUT I TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT ME AND I DON'T CLAIM ANY CREDCIT FOR IT, IT WAS ALL GOD AND HIS MERCY AND GRACE. DAD REALLY LOVE BOTH OF YOU AND ALL THOUGH I WOULD HAVE LOVE TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU AND THE GIRLS THERE I TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT IT JUST WASN'T POSSIBLE. MOMMA WAS RIGHT, DADDY WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER IN HIS GRAVE IF HE KNEW YOU WOULD HAVE SPENBT THAT MUCH TO COME, I AM GLAD AT THAT RATE YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK OUT THE TICKETS. I MISSED YOU BUT I NEEDED THE PRAYERS MORE THAN YOUR PRESENCE I THINK. I LOVE YOU AND WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU WHEN WE CAN. TAKE CARE, DAD

Anonymous said...

Brian abd Alice,
I am so sorry about your grandpa. I know you wanted to be there. The service was very sweet and your mom and dad did such a great job and so did you. I know it was God.At the cemetary the sun came out and I felt like it was God smiling. We all know that he is with God and what a comfort that is.
Love ya,
Aunt Peggy