An Afternoon with Grandpa Rick

On a sunny and windy afternoon, we took a drive to visit Grandpa Rick. 

We packed a blanket, snacks, books, and even a football. 

Our plan was simple: spend an afternoon with Grandpa. 

We read books on the blanket, played catch, and enjoyed a snack. 

As usual, we cleaned his "lap" (headstone) and got rid of all the bird poop and weeded around it as well. 

This year we added a pinwheel with all the names of his grandchildren.

We spoke about him: his likes and dislikes, job, favorite things.

We spoke about ourselves: telling him what we were doing now, how old we were, what we were looking forward to this summer.

We spoke about heaven: death, funerals, rising up to greet Jesus.

This was a happy place today, but of course we were a little sad, too.

As I listened to Marie and Bennett bicker back and forth about silly things, and I watched Brooks pick up and throw the football over and over, I felt sorry for myself, for them, and for my dad for about 5 minutes. I allowed myself to feel it and sort of wallow in it for awhile. 

It left me tired and sad.

After 5 minutes, I shook myself out of that feeling. 

I listened to Marie and Bennett read a story, I watched Brooks climb up and down from Dad's stone, and I felt peace. 

Peace that my Dad's body was well long enough to have me as a his child so I could be blessed with these three beautiful children. 

Peace that my parents raised me in faith so I know we will see him again. 

Peace that my Dad's spirit is so strong that I continue to feel him with me today. 

Peace that I have such beautiful memories of my Dad even when he was sick. 

One of my favorite memories of my Dad was going to A&W and getting lunch. We stopped at the gumball machine on the way out. I got a blue one that turned my teeth blue of course. We went home and rode bikes on the driveway. I was 4 and I will always remember the sun shining on the driveway that day and my mouth full of gum.

This is one of the most simple pleasures in life - a silly gumball. However, I continue to stop at gumball machines with my kids. I want their teeth to turn blue, and I want them to 

remember it with a smile. 

We all believe that Grandpa was with us there today. We spoke to him, welcomed him into our silly, crazy, loud, loving little family, and I think he had a wonderful afternoon with us!