It was a Fourth of July my family will never forget.  Our dear Pop passed on at the age of 90.  I was grateful that my husband was able to go to Michigan to be with family and hold his grandfather’s hand before he passed on.  We knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.  During the wait, I asked him to share this note with him. 

You and Nana embraced me as your own and included me in your wonderful family.  The stories and pictures you shared with me of your days in Kentucky always reminded me of my daddy.  I loved hearing about and seeing all of the things you had collected over the years.  Everything had a story connected to it.  I relished in each one. 

Your gentle and quiet spirit always made people feel safe around you.  We could sit together watching a western for an hour without saying a word and it was still time well spent. Every morning you had oatmeal and when we would come visit you would show me the proper way to make it just right. 

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I loved watching how much you loved Nana.  Being together since you were teens, you always made her feel like she was the most important person in the room.  Your 70 years of marriage is so inspiring.  You appreciated your daughters’ devotion to you. There was never a doubt, they knew that they were always adored by you.

You have been that rock for all the grandkids.  Every favorite memory growing up for them has you in it.  You were the one that made my husband the man he is today.  The wisdom you poured into him before I was a part of this family will be a gift for generations. I will always be grateful that Dawson, Emma Grace, and Ella Jay had such a loving great-grandfather! Like Thomas, Dawson will forever be impacted by the consistent love and wisdom you have given him over the years.  The girls will cherish memories of sitting on your chair with you and watching country music, taking you to Disney for the first time, and hanging out in the basement with all of your collections.

Pop, you have made our family and this world a better place.  Thank you for letting me be your granddaughter.  

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I was told that Pop looked up to heaven right before he took his last breath. 

I believe he heard God calling him to his new home, his new body, his new freedom…well done, my good and faithful servant.  

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Let freedom ring.