grandpa

2006

This is my Mom and her parents. They are the only grandparents I have known. Grandpa died today. He was a great Grandpa. When we were little he would bribe us with mini snickers to learn songs. I remember the Montana song (his home state) and the U of U fight song (he went there, all of his kids rebelled and went to BYU). And he knew great army camping songs.

2006 Nate & Annie's wedding

I remember begging him to teach me how to spit one time. I wanted to be able to gracefully spit off the side of a bridge like he could. Like in one spit, not spattering off into a million pieces then dribbling down my bottom lip. He said no; girls did not spit. And then he chuckled. I always remember Grandpa being happy. I can hear his laugh in my head now.

2006 Cathi's wedding

He radiated love. With every sibling and cousin that got married I hoped that he would stick around long enough to be at my wedding. Obviously that didn't work out, but I know he will be there in spirit. Families are forever. I am so grateful to know that.

2006 / 2007

Grandpa was always funny, but he grew more goofy in his later years. He did not always know what was going on around him, but he did seem to know when a goofy moment was happening. And if one wasn't, he would make it happen himself ... usually when cameras were around.

2007 at his annual Christmas Eve birthday party

His hamming it up often seemed to be to Grandma's chagrin. But not really chagrin I don't think; I like to think she found it endearing. I liked seeing the way Grandma looked at Grandpa. You could tell she loved him very much. And you could tell that he loved her deeply too.

2007 Christmas morning

Grandpa loved Diet Coke. It is a family addiction. He and Grandma tote their full-caffeine Diet Cokes with them when visiting people. I love that. I am an addict as well. Although I morphed over from Diet Coke to Diet Dr Pepper at some point. Maybe my Dad's parents liked the Dr. Pepper - Diet from one side, Dr. Pepper from the other.

2007 with Aunt Gail at the Oakland Temple Christmas nativity

Grandpa had Alzheimers. At some point he could not recall memories past those of his younger years spent as a tour guide at Yellowstone. So we talked about those. It was fun to hear him recall those good times. And really sad when he got stuck on a simple word that he could not remember. You could see the frustration on his face and then the frustration melted into sadness when he realized he couldn't find the word. It made me want to cry for him. He also, around this time, took a liking to this plaid fishing hat. He wore it everywhere.

2007

Family was really important to Grandpa and Grandma. They took the family camping to Lake Shasta every year. Grandpa tried to teach all the grandkids how to ski and also took us out on Ski Bob (a large blow up boat toy that was towed behind the boat). He always had sacrament at the family camping or family reunions. They both strongly supported scouting, education, church activity and family gatherings. They emphasized family to make sure that all 30+ of us are not just family, but that we are friends too.

2008 opening his b-day presents with Shawn, six months ago

I am very sad that Grandpa is gone. I am even more sad that my mom has lost her father; when I think about that I start to cry. I am truely sorry that Grandma has lost her husband, friend and eternal companion. I am grateful though that Grandpa, the Grandpa we grew up with, is no longer trapped in that body. I know it was frustrating for him and Grandma. I am heartened at the thought of him being reunited with Austin and Tanya. I am sure that he is happy to see his family again too.

2006 Grandpa and Me

I love you Grandpa. You will be miss by all of us. But you are not gone because you live on in each of your children and grandchildren, and we will pass a piece of you on to future generations. Thanks for being my Grandpa. I love you.