Dearest Grandpa, When I was a little girl, my mother had me pray every night that you’d come back to church and develop a relationship with God. At the time I didn’t realize what a burden she had on her heart, and she died before she saw that prayer answered with a yes. But you did come back. The mystery of that prayer uttered decades before, growing into a full-fledged change of heart, has always struck me with a quiet sense of awe. I truly believe you’re resting in God’s loving embrace and that “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”, you and my mother will be reunited and she’ll know our prayers were answered. I know just like everyone, the tapestry of life you wove had its share of missed stitches and mismatched threads. Some of those threads, while thinner and paler, still run their course in my own tapestry. But now that your picture is finished, I can’t help but step back and admire it for how breathtaking it turned out. All those threads woven together are truly a sight to behold. I see your warmth, your sense of humor and pranks, your little trivia facts. There are your politically incorrect ways of looking at life, your intractable love of Toledo, and of course the quarters that lived behind every child’s ear. There were fears and mistakes. But then there is kindness, acceptance, genuine warmth, that glow of pride and love. It flows with music and the beautiful love of God in the warm colors of your sunset years. It is a magnificent work and its image will never pass from my mind or heart. I am so glad you were able to meet my children. My little son probably won’t remember you but knowing they’re a part of your tapestry and you, in turn, are a part of theirs, brings me joy. You are deeply missed grandpa. Life will never be the same without you in it.
Light a Candle
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When I was a little girl, my mother had me pray every night that you’d come back to church and develop a relationship with God. At the time I didn’t realize what a burden she had on her heart, and she died before she saw that prayer answered with a yes. But you did come back. The mystery of that prayer uttered decades before, growing into a full-fledged change of heart, has always struck me with a quiet sense of awe. I truly believe you’re resting in God’s loving embrace and that “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”, you and my mother will be reunited and she’ll know our prayers were answered.
I know just like everyone, the tapestry of life you wove had its share of missed stitches and mismatched threads. Some of those threads, while thinner and paler, still run their course in my own tapestry. But now that your picture is finished, I can’t help but step back and admire it for how breathtaking it turned out. All those threads woven together are truly a sight to behold.
I see your warmth, your sense of humor and pranks, your little trivia facts. There are your politically incorrect ways of looking at life, your intractable love of Toledo, and of course the quarters that lived behind every child’s ear. There were fears and mistakes. But then there is kindness, acceptance, genuine warmth, that glow of pride and love. It flows with music and the beautiful love of God in the warm colors of your sunset years. It is a magnificent work and its image will never pass from my mind or heart. I am so glad you were able to meet my children. My little son probably won’t remember you but knowing they’re a part of your tapestry and you, in turn, are a part of theirs, brings me joy. You are deeply missed grandpa. Life will never be the same without you in it.