This past week, my granddaddy passed away. He was my last surviving grandparent and he reached the ripe age of 95, I believe. As I've been reflecting on my experiences with him and my grandmother, Meme, I can't help but to think about how each of my grandparents have been role models for me. So, don't mind my rambling, but I wanted to write a few of these thoughts down.
Grandaddy: He was a quiet man and when I think of him, the first word(s) that comes to mind is work ethic. I've been told stories that he was a VERY hardworking man. In fact, there's the tale of him being so sick that he couldn't go to work 1 day. His secretary called and thought for sure he had died - this man NEVER missed work. Diligent is another word that comes to mind - diligent to his career but also a very diligent father and husband. I had opportunities to visit my grandparents as a teenager (they lived in Florida) and I remember him always reaching out and holding my grandmother's hand. He alway had that gleam in his eye of true love. I hope Shayne still looks at me that way after 60 years of marriage.
Meme: FYI She didn't want to be "grandma" so her nickname was based on her first and middle name initials. Meme was an incredible and AVID reader. We use to get newspaper clippings from her in the mail - even as young kids. I remember watching her read the paper daily and she could remember so much. I want to be a thinker like she was - always aware of what was going on around her. She was a brilliant woman. I remember bringing a book with me during my spring break that I was suppose to finish before my return home. I was enjoying the book and suggested she should read it too. She asked if she could look at it as I was heading to bed. The next morning she handed it back to me and said it was a very good book. I was completely stupefied that someone could read a book that fast. Maybe you'll think she stayed up late? Nope, if you sat by her side - she'd have two pages read when I read one paragraph.
Grandma: I got to know my Grandma best because she lived in SLC while I was attending BYU. I tried to visit her as often as I could because I had never lived so close to a grandparent. She was in poor health for the majority of my life and she passed away in 2002 - a few months before Hunter was born. With all of her health issues, she NEVER COMPLAINED. This is a hard example to follow - I know how to complain. She never complained about anything. She never talked bad about ANYONE and she always had a little chuckle as she talked. One time I went to visit her in a health care facility - her kidneys were failing, her vision was gone, and she was struggling with so many other ailments. When I walked into the room she said, "Lea, so nice to see you! Well, it would be nice if I could see you! Hee hee hee" And not another word was said about what she was suffering. She was a hoot. Here's a picture of us together at my graduation.
Grandpa: He passed away when I was young but I've heard stories about him always stopping to help people. He was the type of guy who couldn't pass someone in need of help without being the one to stop and offer. I guess cell phones and scary murder stories have changed that kind of helpful mentality. A story that stands out is one about him stopping to help a family while they were boating on Lake Powell. They spent their afternoon helping another family with boat problems. On their drive home, their car broke down and guess who ended up pulling over to help them? The same family they had helped on the Lake! The story got even better that he was an owner of Granite Furniture and helped my grandparents get their AWESOME teal, metal cupboards. Those cupboards were classic. (and I'm sure they were the coolest thing back in their day)
I'm grateful for each of my grandparents. I'm especially grateful for the children they raised to become my parents. Grandaddy, you'll be missed by your children, grandchildren and your great-grandchildren. I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet Cole or Danny - I wish that could have worked out differently. I remember you holding Hunter in your lap and you were such a sweet great-grandpa. He made you laugh and you made him laugh. It was priceless. I'm grateful that you are now with Meme - your true love. Your love story is something I should share another day - friends won't believe that story! I'm certain that you are with her. I send my love to my mom and her siblings at this time - wishing them comfort in the fact that life does continue after death. We will be with him again.
