Goodbye Grandpa

|10.Aug.2008

Goodbye Grandpa.

My Grandpa went to be with our Lord this morning.
He got up, ate breakfast, went back down for a nap after breakfast and never woke up.
He was 92.
My Dad called me during my Sunday nap to let me know.
I’ve been crying in waves ever since.

I’ve written about him on the blog a couple of times; I love the man so much.

My heart hurts.
My chest aches.
My head hurts from crying.
At the same time my soul rings the truth – he has finally been released from his ailing and aged body into the freedom of eternity with Christ.

Before he died he talked to my Aunt Betty about the music he wanted at his funeral.

Why the Tennessee Waltz you say? Well, not because of the words – no heart-break stories there. My Grandpa said that the Tennessee Waltz was to be played because of the waltz he was gonna have with my Grandma when he met her in heaven; she died 7 years ago of Alzheimer’s.

My Grandpa would play the Tennessee Waltz on his piano in the evenings. I remember being all snuggled in bed with my cousin and falling asleep to the sound of him stroking the song from the keys.

His funeral will be a celebration; I just know it.
A celebration of a hard-working man who loved his wife, loved his family and loved the Lord.

And I’ll be a part of it. I’ll be singing “In The Garden” and will join my aunt and uncle on “I’ll Fly Away”. The last two on the list above will be played by my aunt Charlotte; she is absolutely amazing on the piano.

Pray for all of us to serve him well at his going away.
If you still have your Grandpa, give him a hug, a call, mail a letter, because you just never know.

This entry was written on: August 10, 2008 and posted at 10:32 pm. Bookmark the Permalink.
Filed under Category: what the heck
Site Search Tags: .

89 Comments

  • MidlifeSlices™

    My paternal grandparents were a huge part of my life and I loved them beyond words so I know the depth of your loss all too well. I still miss my grandparents each and every single day and it’s been over 20 years since they went to be with their heavenly Father. My prayers are with you and your family.

  • Atomic Bombshell

    Now you’ve got me crying. I’m excited for grandpa though and looking forward to seeing him dancing with grandma in heaven.

  • jamie

    Aw, Heather. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Gramma last month, so I really understand how hard it is.

    You and yours will be in my prayers.

  • gingermog

    I am very sorry to hear your grandpa is no longer with you in an earthly way, but it is a great testiment to his life that he leaves so much love behind him.

    From his music selection I think he would get on with my uncle very well, same vintage-he left us shortly after Thanksgiving. Peace to you and your family.

  • ashpags

    Sending love and prayers your way Heather.

    It must be comforting that he planned the music. My Granddad has also requested some, as has my Mom – and I’ll Fly Away is on her list, too. It’s perfect.

  • sherry

    I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • Coco

    my thoughts are with you and your family – I’ve got no grandparents left, not for several years now. There’s still times I wish I could share my life with them.

  • Anna

    xoxo
    I got all choked up reading this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    It seems though that he was an amazing man and for sure he is waltzing away this very moment.
    A celebration of life sounds so perfect!

  • Jersey Girl

    I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved grandfather. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  • Tanya

    Oh Heather, my thoughts are with you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.

  • Michelle

    God Bless, Sweetie.

  • Carole

    Oh Heather, I am so sorry for the pain you and your beautiful family are having now. I send you all my love and wish you and your family peace.

  • stepmomof2

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • mommyknows

    Heather,

    You’re all in my prayers (Big Kenny and your mom too). I’m sorry for your loss.
    XO Kim

  • Kristin

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I know the bitter sweetness of loosing a grandparent that is now out of pain and free to walk with the Lord. But at the same time the emptiness of not having them here. Even now, 6 years later sometimes I am surprised that my grandpa isn’t here.
    I loved the photos that you had posted of him. Your love for him showed in those.

  • Lisa C

    Awww. Your post made me cry ~ these emotions are SO fresh to me. We just lost my grandmother in June. She was 74 & passed away in her sleep as well. I will be thinking of & praying for your family.

  • hana

    Thinking and praying for you and your family here in the City of Angels. Just imagine the dancing in heaven….

  • Amanda

    I’m so sorry for your loss, Heather.

    I hope you have an amazing celebration of his life. What awesome songs.

  • Elaine

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I hope he’s enjoying the waltz with your grandmother and every time you hear a bit of it, you’ll be blessed with a beautiful image of them both, dancing together, at peace.

  • Barchbo

    Oh, how you must miss him already! That kind of love is always missed…

    I love the songs…I’ll Fly Away makes me tear up just thinking about it…what a magnificent promise there!

    We had my father-in-law’s memorial service last weekend and it was definitely a celebration of a wonderful life. After his 13 year old nephew played Amazing Grace on the fiddle, we were ready to praise Him!

    We’ll keep you and your family in our prayers.

  • suann

    heather…i am so, so sorry to hear about your loss. such a touching post + you + yours will be in my thoughts + prayers. take care of yourself. xo.

  • erin

    i am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. mine died 7 yrs ago this past july. i still miss him so much. he was amazing. i cant wait to see him again :)

  • Meg

    Aw. God bless him. God bless you. In the Garden? Can’t sing it without choking up. And I”ll fly away? *sigh.*

    Hugs and prayers to you all.

  • ladyb

    stumbled here by way of your flickr stream..so sorry to read your news…I think I’ll Fly Away is probably the most uplifting song in the world..peace to you and yours xx (have you bookmarked now)

  • Claire in CA, USA

    I’m sitting here crying my eyes out for you, and for me. I never had a grandpa, and I often feel the loss of it.

    I’m so glad that you will see him again, and that he is now with his heavenly Father, and his lovely wife.

  • gorillabuns

    I’m so sorry for the loss of such a loved one. I lost my Grandfather, wow, eleven years ago next week. I miss him like it was yesterday.

  • Jamie in Rose Cottage

    Oh, wow. That bit about waltzing with his wife really got me. It’s so wonderful to think how happy they are right now, even though it’s still so hard for you & the rest of the family still here. God bless you all.

  • Angie Garza

    My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I love the previous posts about your grandpa and I love your Dad’s post from his journal. God Bless…

  • Carol Thompson

    Heather- we love you all- please keep in touch= I read your stories daily

    Love,
    Joe, Carol and Brittany

  • Jennie

    I’ve never heard you sing, of course, but I can just imagine your voice and I know you did a beautiful job. And how cute is it that he wanted to have Tennessee Waltz played at his celebration service? I fell in love with your grandpa when you wrote about the birthday party. I’m so sorry for your loss.

  • Libe Goad

    I know your gorgeous voice was one of the best gifts you could give your grandpa on this day. So sorry to hear about your loss, much love and many hugs to you, Jeff and the rest of your awesome family.

  • Julie

    We just lost our Grandpa two weeks ago, so I know just how you feel. My heart goes out to you and your family.

  • Bella

    I’m very sorry for your loss. You were lucky to have so much time with him. Unfortunately, I know a lot of folks that lost younger family members this year- breaks your heart all the same.

  • Kimberly

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s obvious from the way you felt about him that he must have been a great grandpa. I was supposed to sing at my Grandpa’s funeral 3 years ago but I was so sick I couldn’t even make it.

    Know that he’s always with you.

  • Jeri

    I just lost my Mom. It hurts to write that and I miss her terribly. Since she has gone, there have been two distinct moments when I KNEW she was with me. Two very weird, very random, very impossible things happened. Both on different days, but both while on the computer. When I think that these things happened because Mom did them, it really comforted me. I hope your grandpa comes back and does some very weird, random and impossible things for you and your family. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll still be there watching over you. Your own, personal angel. I’m sorry for your loss. God bless.

  • Vanessa

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Thinking of your grandparents waltzing in Heaven makes me smile.

    Sending you big hugs from Schertz, Texas…

  • Stefani

    Hey lady. I’m so sorry. I hope that the weekend went well… that there was lots of laughter and celebration mixed in with the inevitable tears.

    My great grandpa had a song like that too. Wildwood flower. They played it at his funeral because he and My Momo used to dance to it. I’m learning to play it on the guitar now, but it’s tough to get through it while crying. :-)

    Much love to you!

  • blackbird

    Sending my belated and deepest sympathies…
    I won’t be able to hear I’ll Fly Away without thinking of your grandfather. He sounds like a very special man.

Comment if ya wanna.

search this site

web design

what the heck

inspiration

philosophy

recommended

Fillerama
Tokyo Pen Shop