To Grandpa - With Love, Callie

What do you say? What can you say?

What should you say? What could you ever say?

What do you say about a Grandpa who loved his grandchildren so fiercely - laughed as we played dominos, smiled as he opened gifts of finger paintings and photographs, attended soccer games and got on us when we didn't talk to our parents - and each other - with respect?

What do you say about a father who loved to fish and golf with his sons, who drove them all over the country to look at dams and climb mountains and who instilled in them responsibility for and commitment to family, underscored by the irreplaceable but eternal love of a father?

What do you say about a husband who lifted his wife up in health, doted on her in sickness, kept her laughing and feeling loved and inspired her with his unfailing spirit?

What do you say - now?

What do you say about a man who had a lifelong faith in and excitement for what Heaven brings?

What do you say when this brings you great comfort - knowing he passed on so certain of the beauty that was and is ahead of him for eternity?

What do you say?

What can you say?

I don't know.

On January 20, I was on a roadtrip for basketball when I got a call from Dad saying that Grandpa was in Hospice. I stayed up nearly all night. This is what I had to say then and I don't know if I have more to say now.

In my mind
Dad and Mom were immortal
That changed today
Grandpa went into Hospice
He is almost gone
He is 89
He was immortal
Outlived two wives
Never aged
Working bagging groceries
Playing 18 holes with Dad
Walking the dog
Building us a play set in the yard
Baking twelve dozen cookies
Grandpa was always going to be around
That changed today
Grandpa is mortal
Mom and Dad are mortal
Life is different

So what can you say?
Life is different

I love my grandpa very much

I miss him and I don't think that will ever stop I give thanks for the time we all had with Grandpa and the many ways he will live on in each one of us