Wednesday, October 22, 2008

"Goodly Grand Parents" 1 Nephi 1:1










I have so much i have wanted to blog about for the last 6 weeks. new job, layoffs, letting go saying good bye to a son, but today those will have to wait... today is a day to pay tribute to my grandpas.
one memory I have of my Grandpa Coombs is him singing O Holy Night. I was just a young girl maybe 5 years old, we were in Sacrament Meeting. I remember sitting next to him. I don't know if his voice was one others would say was great but for me i remember him sounding better than any man i have ever heard. A voice that Josh Groban would envy. O Holy Night has always been my favorite Christmas song because of this one memory. The only other memory I have of him was when he was ill with pnuemonia, sleeping on the couch and Lawrence Welk on the TV. Yep i still love Lawrence Welk. Although we lost both Grandma & Grandpa Coombs around the holidays, it is still my favorite time of year because to the closeness i feel to them. They are the parents of 9 great kids, of whom i love very much. My aunts and uncles have loved me unconditionally. they have blessed my life

Today we have been asked to fast for my other Grandpa. Grandpa Fillmore. Garrick. Isn't that a perfect name. Grandpa's birthday is the 29th of october. He will be 104! 104, amazing!
Grandpa has 8 incredible kids. Oh they have had their share of struggles, and a few have strayed from what he would have them cling to but they are amazing nonetheless. Grandpa lives with my perfect cousin Julie. She has been such a great role model. The hospice workers who come to help her and Grandpa, say that Grandpa is hanging on for someone, or someone with unsettled issues with Grandpa is keeping him here . We know Grandpa misses Grandma Sarah, He celebrated 50 years with her. After a few years of loneliness, he married his friend who became our Grandma Gaye. I never knew Grandma Sarah, but Grandma Gaye loved me as if I was her grandaughter, Grandpa misses her too.
It is with a heavy heart I fast Grandpa. I want him to be with Grandma Sarah. He loves her so much, but we love him and will miss him if he gets called home.
Grandpa I know you will never be able to read this post but I thank you for taking me in. You accepted me as one of your own, even though i was not born into your family. Grandpa you taught me to love others despite the trials and choices they make or create. you taught me to love with my whole heart. I love to hear you sing, i love to hear your stories. I will always love Idaho because of you. My testimony of Jesus Christ is greater and stronger because of you. you taught me so much about the atonement. you taught me about love of family, marriage, of forgiveness and charity.
My head knows its time to let you go, but my heart is selfish. I love you, I will miss you, and will forever be grateful for you!

1 comment:

Mama D said...

What wonderful tributes to wonderful men! Our mortal understanding makes it so hard to let go... We know they will be okay but we still want to see and talk with them. We miss them.

Hugs, dear. Remember I am here whenever you need to talk or cry. Prayers are being said for you all!