Grandpa

My grandpa went to be with Jesus on Wednesday morning February 15th.  When I think of him I think of a man of God, a gospel preacher, Grandma's partner, my momma's daddy, father of six, grandfather of 19, loving leader, family letters, Sunday-best clothes, family meals, croquet in Mississippi, Laura Ingles Wilder, old hymns, and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  One of the good parts of mourning the loss of a family member is reflecting on all of the good memories.  Here is a picture with my grandparents from a couple of years ago.

The kids and I already had a winter trip planned for Arkansas and were leaving Rochester that Wednesday afternoon. It was such a blessing to be there with the family - my aunts, uncles, cousins and most of all my mother and grandmother.  When I got the news of Grandpa's death, the thing I wanted most was to be able to put my arms around my mom and my grandma.  I have heartache that I won't see Grandpa again, that his life here is over, and that my children will never really know him.  But I think my greater heartache is for my grandma and my mom as I think about the difficulty of saying goodbye to a husband and to a dad.  

I have been thinking of the last time that I was with Grandpa.  It was this past September and the kids and I drove to Searcy with my mom to visit him in the nursing home.  It was a short visit and I can hardly remember what was said.  We talked briefly.  I held his hand for a moment when I hugged him and said it was good to see him.  I can't remember if I told him I loved him.

Liam wanted to look at Grandpa's body in the casket and he asked if he could touch him.  He reached out and touched Grandpa's hand and I thought of that last time I was with him, touching his hand.  In the casket, his face didn't look the same but his hands were like I've always remembered them.  I think I will always remember his hands.  

If I had known that day in September that I wouldn't see Grandpa again this is what I think I would have said:

Grandpa, I have always been proud to say that I am part of the Lewis family.  Many times I have said, "My grandpa is Claude Lewis."  And I will keep saying it!  I just want you to know that I attribute a large part of the foundation of my faith to you and the leader you are for this family.  Thank you for your faithfulness - to the Lord and to Grandma.  The covenant that you have kept with Grandma has been passed on to your children and now to me.  And that picture of marriage is such a precious gift.  As a little girl, I always thought you were rich.  And I still think you are rich.  I have a picture of you in my mind praying at the head of the table, "Father, we thank thee..." with your family around you and one of Grandma's meals on the table.  You have had life's richest blessings and I know the promise of even greater riches in heaven.    I love you so much.

One of Grandpa's favorite hymns was "My God and I".  The grandchildren sang it at the the close of the funeral:

My God and I go in the field together
We walk and talk as good friends should and do
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter
My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter
My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue

He tells me of the years that went before me
When heavenly plans were made for me to be
When all was but a dream of dim reflection
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see
When all was but a dream of dim reflection
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see

My God and I will go for aye together
We'll walk and talk just as good friends do
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles
But God and I will go unendingly
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles
But God and I will go unendingly

Many emotions as I have written this post...