I was
four months old—wiggly, unsteady, little, dependent, and still relatively new
to the world around me. I wish I would have been older, but I wasn’t. I was
only four months old when my Grandpa died.
 |
| Our final (earthly) goodbye. A cherished photo. |
Though
I only got to spend four measly months with my Grandpa on earth…I know him. I
know him by the stories told by my Grandma, my dad, my mom, and others. I know
him by the letters he wrote. I know him by the journals he kept. I know him by his
pictures. And I know him by the tape recordings taken in the hospital on his
last day on earth. My Grandpa was a kind, gentle man with a big heart, and eyes
that could see the big picture.
My
whole life I have ached to know my Grandpa. And I have always tried to be like
him. For years I said my favorite flowers were purple and yellow pansies—because
those were my Grandpa’s favorite. For years and years I said it was okay to
have a bowl of ice cream every day, because Grandpa loved ice cream. For years
I dreamed of going to Germany because that was where my Grandpa was from. For
years I dreamed and dreamed of my Grandpa.
But
after finding more and more literature buried deep in my Dad’s closet, and in my Grandma’s
basement about my Grandpa, I didn’t have to dream anymore. I was able to read
his words. I was able to read his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I
was able to come to know him.
So while when I was only four months old, he
passed away, my Grandpa lives on in our lives. He is here everyday, and he is a
part of me.
-Lizzy
S.
I have had the same experience with reading the words of family members that have passed on. While on my mission Elder Kent Richards of the Second Quorum of the Seventy came and gave us trainings. He shared an experience of when his great great grandfather and my great great great great grandfather sat next to each other in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They experience he shared from his grandfather was when he and Erastus Snow pledged to always protect each other spiritually. That literature coming to my knowledge provided a connection to my grandfather I wouldn't be able to have otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful story of coming to know someone through the written word. I think this encapsulates the goal of writers; their goal to create a piece of writing in which readers become close and connected to the characters, setting, and overall story they have created. This reminds me of how we come to know our Savior. We have not physically seen Him in this life, but we come to know Him through reading scripture and listening to words of His prophets. Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteMan, that was a really powerful post... kay, don't judge, but it brought tears to my eyes. Amazing how such a short, 300 word blog post can be that powerful.
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa died from cancer when I was just four years old, so I only have cloudy memories of him. I sympathize so much with wanting to be near him and to sit with him in this life once again. Thanks for reminding me of my own grandpa and reminding me that I will see him again one day!
My parents' each had a parent die when they were young and my two remaining grandparents died when I was just seven years old. I feel like I hardly knew them, but I too have longed to know them personally. I wear a pair a gold bracelet of my grandmother's almost everyday. Unfortunately, my grandparents were not so good at keeping journals, so I found out about them by calling relatives for a family history paper I was writing. I learned so many things about my grandparents that made me realize what a rich history I came from. I realize now where my values and talents and passions come from.
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