Remembering my Grandpa

My grandpa passed away this morning. It is a blessing for him as he was ready to go but we are still saddened by the loss of such a special man.

He was faithful in all things. He was faithful to God. He was successful in business. He served his country as a Marine in WW II. He was a loving husband to my grandmother and a wonderful father to my mom and my aunts. To me, he was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for.

He could always make you laugh and loved to joke around. I still remember taking this picture about 11 years ago. This is just the perfect picture of him being his silly self.

The stories he told about his youth, especially in the past few years, were stories full of liveliness, feistiness, and wit. Grandpa was a fighter in everything he did. He never gave up. He was wise in every aspect of life.

Even yesterday, when I held his hand for the last time, he had a powerful grip. He still joked and laughed, even stuck his tongue out at my aunt when she told him he was cute!

I’m thankful for all of the memories in my heart. The little moments that, at the time, I didn’t value as much as I do now.

My grandpa was a good man. There aren’t many men quite like him in the world. I have a deep respect for the man that he was. He was the perfect example of how to live. I think everyone loved him and respected him. I am so proud to have had him as my grandpa. I am so thankful to have had him in my life. I am better because of it.

This picture was taken at my and hubby’s wedding. He was always the jokester, here he is with my brother in law.

And so I think of what kind of legacy I will leave behind one day. May it be even a short measure of what my Grandpa has left behind.

We love you. We will miss you.

Forever in our hearts.