I miss you Grandpa!

Two years ago we had a 90th birthday party for my Grandpa.  When I was talking with him that day he said that he was so thankful to the Lord for giving him 90 wonderful years.  He told me that if God granted him another 90 he would take it, but that he was also ready to go home to heaven whenever the time came.

Almost a year ago he was diagnosed with throat cancer.  He decided that he didn't want to end up in the hospital tied to different machines if the time came.  Then just over a week ago I got an e-mail saying that he was in the hospital.  Some of the food he was eating was ending up in his lungs because the cancer was keeping his throat from swallowing properly.  We went and visited him just over a week ago on Sunday.  His lungs were not functioning well and he was so tired.  I couldn't understand much of what he said, but he smiled and sang Jesus Loves Me with my kids.

Over the next few days my Grandpa's lungs started giving out and his heart started having troubles too.  His wife and four children gathered with him on Wednesday and per his request, they removed the oxygen tubes and with his choir music playing in the background, he peacefully ended his life on this earth and entered everlasting life in heaven.

I'm so happy for him that he has a new body without the aches and pains of old age.  I'm so happy that he can now sing in the presence of Jesus.  I'm so happy that he has joined the ever growing company of my loved ones in heaven.  But I miss him here.

Sunday was his 92nd birthday.  He didn't quite make it but we had a wonderful celebration of his life that day at his memorial service.  It including a recording of him singing "Into your hands I commit my spirit."  I will miss his presence at family get togethers.  I will miss his laughter and his jokes.  I will miss the way he always wanted to hear what was going on in my life.  I will miss the way he loved on my children.

I love you Grandpa and miss you.  Have a blast singing for Jesus and I will see you again one day!