Dear Grandpa,
I am so glad we could come and see you on Monday (March 30, 2015)! While it wasn't long - Nancy, Abbey, Andrew, Eliza and I sure enjoyed spending a few hours with you – the greatest, kindest, best grandpa EVER!!!!
Here is a photo of you with Nancy “Skyping” Chase in Boston, Massachusetts at his college at Wentworth Institute. Skype is calling, seeing, messaging and sharing with others – wherever they are. So with Nancy’s cell phone she was able to “Skype” Chase, in real-time on his mobile device, and you got to see him too. Such very cool technology! Later, Nancy even made a Skype connection with Shawna on Shawna’s computer at her home. That’s when you got to see Shawna and McKenzie.
Thank you for indulging me while I shared some hymns with you from my phone. Listening and sharing them with you, I think you enjoyed it too. I told you I recently read your mom’s life history and at the end, it had her favorite song – “How Great Thou Art.” As I read her history I was remembering that at her funeral we sang that song. At ten years of age, I thought it was so cool that she had a favorite song and that we would sing it at her funeral. At that time I wondered what my favorite hymn would be. I’m still not sure which would be my favorite; there are too many good ones. Likewise, I asked you yesterday what you favorite hymn was. You didn't have a specific song, but you said songs in the 160 range. I scrolled through some of those hymns and let you listen to some familiar ones, like “Abide with Me: ‘Tis Eventide” and “Abide with Me!”; at which, you acknowledged that you liked those. Continuing to scroll, the songs then went to the Sacrament Hymn section. I’m not sure why I didn't continue sharing and listening to those with you, instead I went back to songs in the 100 range. As I write this, I regret that now. I would have loved to know which Sacrament song was meaningful to you. However, other songs you seemed to light up and acknowledge that it was a “good one” were Hymns No. 100 “Nearer, My God, to Thee”; 98-“I Need Thee Every Hour”; 103-“Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer"; 108-“The Lord is My Shepherd”, and a few more that I cannot remember. The music was soothing for you and me. But I could soon see that you were so very tired. I’m grateful to have had shared that special moment with you.
While there, we even got to meet your friend – LeGrande. He was a fun man. We thought it was cool when he told us his first name is Golden – Golden LeGrande Bier. He told us his name was Golden when he saw Andrew’s Golden State Warriors baseball hat. He had nice things to say about you, specifically what a kind man and a good friend you are. We couldn't agree more.
All of us – Nancy, the kids, and I, were all a little teary eyed at some points during our visit, just because we don’t know how much longer you are going to be among us where we can see you, talk to you, and touch you. We all love you so greatly and have learned some wonderful things from you. Your example, patience, kindness and love have been far-reaching to many of us. There are many happy memories we each have of you. It also makes us sad to know you can’t hear well. As well as to see that you’re not eating or drinking much and that the taste of food does not sound good and you have a difficult time swallowing. For someone we love so much, it’s hard to see you suffer and struggle with this. We all know you’ll be very happy once you leave this earth life and are united with grandma and other family members you loved so much in life. Loved ones you haven’t seen for a long, long time. It will be a joyful, happy reunion for you in heaven. Maybe even a party! We will be sad, and we will be sorrowful, and we will miss you when you pass on. But I have great faith in Heavenly Father’s plan that we WILL see you again and that your spirit and love will still be among us. How thankful and blessed we are for a loving, humble, obedient elder brother that gave His life as a great-stoning sacrifice to make all of this possible. Christ’s atonement is central to Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. It’s all incomprehensible, but true! I know it. We lived in heaven as families and know that we will return to heaven to continue as families. What a blessing and a comfort that is, to continue on being among those we love.
A month ago when I saw you and was the last one to leave your darkened room, I gave you a wave good bye and blew you a kiss and shut your door. At that time, I wondered if that might be the last time I would see you. A moment I will always remember. Sure glad I had the opportunity to see you again. Yet still, as we blew you kisses and shut the door, the thought of it possibly being the last time for me entered my mind again.
I love you grandpa! You are dear and precious to me. Thank you for being my wonderful grandfather and for the privilege and a blessing it is to be a part of your family. When you do depart, will you tell grandma that I love her too? I miss her and know it will be a blessing to be with both of you again in Heaven. Take good care of each other and continue to watch over and guide your family here on earth. God be with you until we meet again, whether in heaven or more opportunities in this life.
All of my love,
