Don't Wait

A year ago, today, my grandpa passed away.  He was in a nursing home, and had been sick, but not that sick.  There was no warning.  I didn't expect it.  I would've gone to visit one more time.

I found out this morning my neighbor Brenda, passed away.  She too, had been sick, uterine cancer.  I hadn't talked to her in a month and had no idea she had taken a turn for the worse.  The thought had crossed my mind several times to visit, bake her some bread, or give her a call.  I didn't though.  I was too busy, too tired, too lazy.  Brenda was a believer and she is now pain free, celebrating with the Lord, but I'll miss her.

What hurts the most though, is that I didn't know.  It didn't have to be a surprise.  I have been planning in my mind to invite all my neighbors over for pie for three months now.  I haven't done it.  Brenda was the only original neighbor left from when we moved in almost 8 years ago.  I loved knowing her.  She loved us.  That connection with people is so important.  You just don't know how quickly things will change.

I think I'll schedule that pie party now.

Grandpa Manuel

Its strange, I started thinking about writing this a few weeks before it happened, and now I'm not sure what to say. My grandpa Manuel, my mom's dad, passed away on February 10th. He had been sick, but there was no indication that he was going to die. Yet, I had been thinking about it anyway. About the deep loss I would feel when that day actually came.

I loved my grandpa very, very much. He was the only grandpa I knew, my dad's dad passed away when he was a kid. He was a gentle and wise man. I have wonderful memories of spending time with him. We often went camping as a family and he loved to take us fishing. He saved up aluminum cans and we got to take them to get crushed in a giant recycling machine. He had a secret hiding place for candy that only we kids knew about, at least that's what he told us anyway. He read us books and took us to the park. He grilled while we all played in the backyard.

He took care of his family. Not just his wife and kids, but grandchildren, in-laws, cousins, neighbors. He loaned money, cars, advice - whatever anyone needed. Family was one of his top priorities.

His top priority was Jesus. He loved the Lord with all his heart. That is what prompted all the love he passed to others. He served people with a heart that was serving God. He often brought kids that he mentored and people down on their luck to family functions. He taught us all the importance of helping people out.

My grandpa wasn't perfect, he was human and a sinner like us all. But in terms of people, he was one of the best. I will miss him greatly.