August 18, 2012

A Time for Healing


My beloved grandfather passed away this week and his death will forever leave a void.  He was the kindest person I've ever known, the most unfailingly optimistic and the most unselfishly loving.  He was my Papa.  He was also a beloved husband to his wife of 67 years, and treasured father to three daughters.  I shared him with seven other grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  He made each and every one of us feel special and he will be sorely missed.

We came together the last few days and in taking care of the details and final arrangements, we began to heal one another.  Every hug held some magic ingredient, some magic little spark of energy that made both people just a tiny bit stronger.  Every tear shed was a little easier to bear because it was shared.

Over the days, the stories we told became a little easier to tell and a little easier to hear.  The focus moved from his passing to his life and his love.  We relived all the little things -  the phrases he used, funny little things he did.  All the little things that made him the person he was.

In mourning, we heal.  In celebrating, we remember.  In living by his lessons, we honor.

Yes, he leaves behind a void.  But, as a family, we close ranks around that hole and knit it into the lacy pattern of the fabric of our lives. 

11 comments:

  1. I am sorry for your loss. I love the sentiment you expressed: In mourning, we heal. In celebrating, we remember. In living by his lessons, we honor.

    I truly believe that what matters in life is loving and being loved.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful sharing of what he meant and means to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It sounds like your grandfather and my dad would have been about the same age. I guess we should both be glad we had them for as long as we did. Still, it's hard to see them go. So sorry for your loss, Sherri.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Papa was 85 - part of the Greatest Generation. He joined the Navy and fought in WWII. I agree - we're darned lucky, but it still hurts.

      Delete
  4. I'm so sorry about Papa. My Gram was like that to me. XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  5. You can see it in his eyes! I can only pray that I touch my grandchildren in the way this wonderful man did you his beautiful granddaughter. To have made such a mark of love is true success in life.

    Blessings and peace, Sherri.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can see that he was a lovely and loving man... As Shelley said you can see it in his eyes. I love some of your words, so very true. I hope you are healing I lost my own father ,recently too. He was 91.. A good age! They were indeed part of a very special generation. Hugs.
    Jenni

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...