I never lived close to my grandpa. Even when we lived in Scotland and England, I only ever saw him a few times a year. In the past 14 years since moving to Canada, I’ve only seen my grandpa 3 times. However, I have so many memories of him…
I remember the huge, beautiful, victorian house that him and granny used to live in.
I remember when I lost my helium balloon in their dome ceiling.
I remember when all the grandkids sang ‘There are People Dying’ to him and granny.
I remember that he never let us go up to the attic, but we often sneaked up there anyway.
I remember his collection of Beatrix Potter books.
I remember doing puzzles with him.
I remember climbing Arthur’s Seat with him and all the other grandkids.
I remember his illegible writing on the cards he would send.
I remember the time he told me about how him and granny met.
I remember watching him shave over the kitchen sink every morning.
I remember how he used to buy old brown bananas and mush them up on his toast.
I remember how he let us put sugar on our cereal when mom told us we couldn’t.
I remember watching television in bed with him.
I remember the sticker books that him and granny would always give us.
I write all this because today, my grandpa passed away. I can’t say that he didn’t live a good life, because he did. My grandpa celebrated his 90th birthday this past February. This August him and granny would be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary (did I mention that granny was one of his students in university…so sly). Grandpa had 4 children, and 11 grandchildren, all who love him very much.
The last I saw of my grandpa was 2 years ago when I went to Scotland to spend Christmas with him. Yes, I would have liked to see him more recently. However, my grandpa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a few years ago. When I went to visit him, he still remembered me, and told me stories about him and granny when they first met and courted. THis is how I remember my grandpa.
Over the past few years, my family has seen my grandpa get sicker. We are praising God today because we know he is now celebrating in Heaven…he is with his best friend, Jesus. My mom had the privilege of going to Scotland only a few weeks ago to see her father one more time. She said that even in his last days, when he wasn’t able to speak, he still said Grace before every meal. My grandpa was a man of God, who never complained during his illness…he trusted God that this is what He had for him, and that was a good enough reason for him!!!
I love my grandpa!!
well, I don’t think I have cried soo much in my life until I read that. He was an awesome man of God and loved his family with all his heart. love you both lots.
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Oh Naomi, that is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read to a grandfather. We are really sorry to hear about your grandpa, you and your family are certainly in our prayers.
Naomi, that was beautiful. What a blessing to know He’s with Jesus. I will pray for you & your family during this time. Love you…
i was just telling joe yesterday some of the things that i remembered, and the tv in the bedroom was one of them!
i remember they had a loud, green alarm clock.
i remember he used to skip rope with us, wearing shorts when he was like 75!
i remember he used to make each of us little jars of jelly with our name on them.
i remember he used to cry whenever we left.
I remember he used to play with me when I was playing with those paper dolls they used to have in the big living room at the front of moston terrace. and those spinning top things in the kitchen.
I remember they had a honeysuckle in the back yard and he used to suck the necter out of the flowers.
I was always gretal when we were the von trap family singers. I was always mad because finlay was a boy so he got to be older then me in the line up.
forget that comment about the von trapp family singers. it was gem that mentioned that on her facebook not you.
It is kinda sad to say that most of the momories that I have of grandpa are only lived through the stories of my sisters. I did have the great privelage to go and visit him about a week or so before he died and that gave me enough memories to last a life tim. Between him falling asleep and suddenly waking up and saying something really random and making us all laugh to just being able to read a short letter(that granny wrote) about the story of his life and how much he loved God.
Love you Grandpa