My Aunt ViKi, Grandpa, and me - taken April 2014.
I lost my grandpa last night. He has been here for 91 years. It is amazing to me that there has been so much variety of experiences in his lifetime. His life began as a child with horse and buggy and the old Model T Ford just coming out. He worked in the coal mines, as a shoe/boot repairman, other things, and later for Thiokol which was a government company that helped build the space shuttle. Horse and buggy to space to modern technology is quite a lifetime of change. He quit school at age 17 and lied about his age so he could join the Navy. His ship, the U.S.S. Enterprise, was in the Pacific during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but was not in the harbor. Because he was so young when he joined, he is one, if not the very last, of his crewman to leave this earth. At age 91 he was still pretty spry. He walked into the temple on his own this past May to attend my daughter's wedding.
I am proud to share his blood in my veins and some of his characteristics and many wonderful memories. I know, without a doubt, that he has loved ones on the other side welcoming him with open arms. They are likely having a grand reunion. While I am not ready to leave this earth, he and my other grandpa as well as my Great Grandmother will be among the first that I will be anxious to see once I do leave. I am lucky to still have both of my grandmothers here.
Life is good and I am doing well. It was important for me to share some of my beliefs regarding death and a life beyond it with a loving God whom I refer to as my Father in Heaven. I also know that our brother, Jesus Christ, is there too with outstretched arms of love. Families mean everything to me and they can be together forever. This I know and desire to share.
FYI, this Grandpa comes through the same line as Dorinda of whom this blog is named after.
