Gratitude Challenge Day 20: Time with my grandfather

Welcome back, Gratitude Challenge. How I've missed you.

Things have been a little crazy around here. I'm trying slowly and meagerly to keep a bit of normalcy in the routine, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge. As you know, we were out of town this week while my grandfather was in the hospital. He was actually in the hospital for five weeks but due to illness with my daughter and myself I wasn't able to make the two-hour drive until this week when we were told that we may be losing him. After a very short stay in hospice we did in fact do just that yesterday.

I'm still processing the entire situation so this post will be brief. But after starting and stopping I knew what I needed to do. I needed to be thankful for the time that we had together. The eyes that followed in conversation. The smile that tried to peek around the corners of his mouth at my daughter. The time that we had as a family sitting quietly in the room or laughing a little bit too loud for others down the hall. It's funny where good memories will sneak in.

Today I'm thankful for the time that we had together. And, I'm thankful for the time that we'll have once again in the future for I know where he is. God is good, all the time!

Rest in peace, Papa.

Lee Roy F.
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather.
WWII Veteran, US Navy
June, 1925 - November, 2010

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NIV)