Journeys End

A lot has happened since my last post. It is almost unbelievable how fast things have happened. The day after I posted how glad I was to get back to routine, we received a very unexpected phone call saying that our Grandfather had passed away. This was completely unexpected and shocking. In memory of Grandpa all of us kids have each written a little bit about our memories of Grandpa. Here they are.
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I have many great memories of my Grandpa, but I have chosen to write down these because they mean the most to me. The first one is about our mutual like of ice cream. :-) It seems like most every time that I would go with him somewhere he would always, without fail, stop for ice cream. He would joke that his car automatically went to Dairy Queen.
I also remember how he loved having his grand children with him. He would always tell his friends, "This is my grandson." :-)
Another memory I will always hold precious is when I told him about my decision to give my life to God. He told me he was happy for me, that I would NEVER regret it, and and to never give up. That meant a lot to me and has become very true!
My Grandpa was also very good at "one-liners". There are two that have stuck with me. One time my grandma made some bread heavier than she intended, after eating it Grandpa said, "this will keep your feet on the ground." The other was when he drove on a bumpy road he said, "This would be a nice place to put a road." :-)
The last thing I would like to say about my Grandpa and that means a lot to me is the fact that I only ever saw my Grandpa angry one time! That has greatly impressed me.
Daniel

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There are many thing that I will always remember about Grandpa that will always stick with me. But three things particularly come to mind. The first thing was how he always was such a great teacher. If there was anybody who was willing and patient enough to teach you something it was Grandpa. I have many great memories of him telling me something he had learned along life's path. The second thing was that he loved to tell stories, usually things that happened to him that had a good laugh to them. Like the time he took off with his dad's Model T when he wasn't supposed to. The third was how he prayed. He was always so grateful to God. He always ended his prayers like this, "Do for us more than we could ever ask, and add to this weak prayer that lacketh." I will always remember my Grandpa, and I thank God for the testimony he left behind for all us Grandchildren to see and follow.
I miss you Grandpa.
Tyler

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I will never forget how ornery my grandpa was. I remember one time when Grandpa and Grandma were visiting we were sitting around the table at dinner time. All of a sudden Grandma's phone started going off. Grandma was going through her pockets and purse trying to find it. The whole time Grandpa was sitting there really quite, just smiling. Finally Grandma realized that the noise was coming from Grandpa's pocket. We all burst out laughing when she finally realized it and asked Grandpa for the phone.
Grandpa was always a quite, soft spoken person. He love to tell stories about his childhood and I always loved to hear them. I remember the story about the time he told his older cousin Orva Jean that the toaster beeped when the toast was done, which it didn't do. Orva Jean realized this AFTER the toast was burnt. She got him back by giving him a kiss . . . something he GREATLY disliked.
Grandpa always called when it was really rainy down here because he had been watching the weather and wanted to make sure we were still standing. He was so sweet and thoughtful.
I love you Grandpa.
Kay

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Grandpa liked his dog named Penny. He taught Penny to beg, roll over, shake hands, and to fetch. Grandpa would give her a treat after she did a trick. Penny liked to go on Rides with him and liked to sleep on Grandpa's lap when he sat in his chair. Some times Penny would crawl under the blankets and sleep by his feet at night.
When Grandpa came to Georgia he liked to watch our horses. He liked to watch Tyler work with the horses too.
One time when we were together we asked him what life was like when he was little and how things have changed. He said that Sunday afternoons were usually spent visiting family. I liked to listen to him tell stories.
Joy

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My Grandpa liked cookies. He usually wanted to "test" one or two after I made a batch. One time after I had made some cookies I went out to the garage to help Grandpa and the boys. Grandpa thought we all needed a treat and he had me go in and get (sneak) some cookies. He also liked to mow in the pecan grove and make it look neat. One time his blood sugar dropped and we had to give him pop and a granola bar so he felt better.
Thomas

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My Grandpa liked to come down south to help pick up pecans. Picking up pecans is a lot of work. It is fun when Grandpa and Grandma came to help. I liked to have a little visit with Grandpa or a take a little walk to see the horses. Grandpa was a good storyteller.
Grace.

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One last thing I would like to write before closing this long post is a saying that was on a plaque given to my Grandma.

God did not promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow,
nor sun without rain.
But he did promise Strength for the day,
Comfort for the tears,
and light for the way.

Grandpa was very loved and is very missed. But he is in a better place where there is no sorrow and pain. I can just picture him kneeling before the King of Kings praising His name!
He can hear now - without hearing aids!

Till next time,

Kay