My Grandpa lived life to the fullest. Being 32 years old, my remembered experiences with him began when he was in his mid seventies. Spending time with him as a kid every summer in Colorado make up the fondest memories I have of Gramps. Within those memories, I realize that Gramps gave me a picture, an example, of how to live the full life in body, soul and Spirit.
In body, Grandpa was always active. He’d wake me up in the morning jogging around my bed singing, “Wake up, wake up in the morning it’s time to rise and shine…” Or he’d whistle it in his trademark vibrato whistle. He’d get me up before dawn and put me to work- shoveling dirt, moving woodpiles, working on the roof, or other labor intensive activities. Then later in the morning, when most people were still sleeping, he’d take me golfing, to play tennis, or even water skiing. I think he was still water skiing when he was 80. He taught me by example about the importance of physical activity and taking care of the body.
Soulfully speaking, Grampa knew how to have fun and enjoy life. When I speak of soul, I’m talking about the emotional and relational part of life. He loved people, he loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids and his great grandkids! Time spent with me was priceless to him- you could tell- he was proud of his chubby little red headed grandson as he introduced me to everyone. He was always goofing around with people at the grocery store. He was always playing with kids whenever he came across them. He loved to teach me things. A highlight for me was when he taught me to drive his 1949 Ford Pickup, and he still loved me even after I rammed it into the garage door pressing the clutch instead of the brake! Soulfully, he really taught me how to live, and he seemed to know what really mattered in life- family, people.
I think the reason Grandpa was a great example in physical and soulful living was because he lived for Christ. The Spirit of God was clearly alive in my Grandpa. He was a great witness to Jesus. I remember golfing with him once, and a guy joined us because we only had a twosome. The guy with us would get frustrated with his game, and used a lot of swear words. The guy would say something like, “to hell with this game.” Grandpa would respond by saying, “What about you? Do you believe in heaven and hell?” Then he would go on to witness for Jesus. Grandpa was a prayer warrior. He and Grandma would pray for all of us every morning, and morning devotions were a staple. He loved to sing too. I remember him singing along as we listened to the a-track of “I am a Promise, I am a Possibility, I am a Promise, with a capital P” over and over in the old Cadillac. Grandpa was a great example of living by the Spirit, and with passion!
I thank God for Grandpa. He had an amazing life, and he was an incredible example to me of true living. There’s so much more I could share about my experiences with Gramps, and I’m grateful to have so many joy filled memories. It’s a greater joy, though, to now know that he is in the presence of the Almighty, his true home.
