April 18, 2010

Thank You Grandpa!

Yesterday we had a ceremony to place Grandpa's ashes in his niche.
It was a ceremony for just our family, with my dad speaking.
He talked about leaving a legacy and the amazing legacy that Grandpa left.
My mom asked me if I would want to talk at the service.
I was hesitant at first, just because I was nervous and didn't really know how I wanted to express my feelings for Grandpa.
It was something that I knew I wanted to do though, so I decided to write a letter to Grandpa.
I read it at the service, and I am really glad that I did.
It felt good to put into words how I felt about Grandpa, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to share it.

This was my letter:


Dear Grandpa,
                 There is no way I could ever express the gratitude I feel towards you.  You have meant more to me than words can say.  Thank you for  being my grandpa...and for being so much more than my grandpa.  You have been one of my greatest friends through life.  Thank you for making me laugh, for listening to me, for encouraging me, and for loving me.  I have thanked God my whole life for allowing me to be born into this family, to be born as your granddaughter.
                  Thank you for showing me what it means to be a part of a family.  You always put us first, and your love for us showed through everything you did.  I will never forget the Thanksgiving when you sat at the kids table with us.  We went around the table to say what were thankful for, and when we got to you, you got choked up.  You said you were thankful for this, and that we all get together every Sunday, because it makes it a lousy week when we don't come.  You showed us how important family is, and what a blessing it is to go through life together.
                  Thank you for entertaining us.  You always knew how to make us laugh.  Whenever we had parties, you were the guest we couldn't wait to have arrive.  The party always started when you walked through the door.  We'd gather around excitedly, and you always had some kind of antics to make us crack up--bowing, hula dancing, or complaining about the ugly group of people you were going to have to spend the next couple hours with.  I always hated it when you left.  It was never as fun without you there.  That's how we're all feeling now with you gone.  It's not the same without you here. 
                  Thank you for loving me--for loving all of us.  You may have rarely said it, but your actions always showed us how much you loved us.  I never doubted you love.  I felt it in everything you said and did for me.  Thank you for so many memories.  I miss you Grandpa, and I love you so much!


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