Sunday, June 7, 2009

Thankfully Saying Goodbye

We lost our "Grandpa" Johnny this past week. He wasn't our biological grandpa, but he was our grandpa in all the ways that really count. He was my sister's father-in-law.

When my dad died, Grandpa Johnny swooped in and took my daughter under his wing. He treated her (and my other three daughters who came along later) just like his own blood grandchildren. We have so many wonderful memories of him. He came to grandparents day at school every year when the girls were in grade school. He was with us for all the holidays. He took the girls for rides in his boat. He let them help him in his garden and on and on. My husband and I were with him when his wife, Grandma Wanda died. He was the best. Truly the best!

As I typed the title for this post, it made me think of a song. Do you remember Kermit the frog in one of the muppet movies singing a song about saying goodbye? It said---
Saying goodbye, why is it sad, when it makes us remember the good times we've had.
It is so true. I can't help but be sad, but I have wonderful memories to keep Grandpa Johnny close. I will always miss him, but I am so thankful that he was in all our lives. As I finish this post, I can't help but smile. He was that good!

11 comments:

  1. He sounds like a wonderful man. You did him proud with this beautifully written post.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    (I'm still shredding. Don't forget to "follow" my new blog.)

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  2. What a beautiful post. Sounds like a wonderful man, someone to have wonderful memories of.

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  3. Very touching and so perfectly said. I am so sorry about your loss. He sounded like a very swell man. He is an angel now looking over everyone.

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  4. I will always think of belt buckles and blueberry zuchini bread when I think of Grandpa Johnny. I might need to learn how to make that.

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  5. What a sweet man and sweet post. xoxo

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  6. I am glad you have many fond memories to think about. I am sorry for your loss.

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  7. I will miss you so much, Grandpa. I hope you're enjoying your dance with Grandma. And I hope you have an abundant supply of Pop-ice popsicles up there :) I love you!

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  8. I'm so sorry for this loss. What a sweet person he must have been. I don't know that song but now I want to look it up!

    Steph

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  9. I am so sorry for your loss. This was such a wonderful post!

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  10. So Sorry to hear about your loss, he sounds like a great man and you are right - you have to say "goodbye" but at least you can do it with a thankful heart because of all the good memories you have.

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  11. So sad to hear of your loss. Thanks for always stopping by my blog and leaving sweet comments....
    Have a good week,
    Teresa

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