We're so JAD!: Gone, But Not Forgotten

Friday, July 19, 2013

Gone, But Not Forgotten

I was blessed to be able to attend my Grandpa Packard's funeral back in May. My Grandpa Seely (my mom's dad) passed away the week before Dixie was born and his funeral was two days before her birth, so I was obviously unable to attend (it was in Utah, I was in Texas). But this time there was no such excuse and I was extremely thankful we were in a position that I could fly out to Utah to be with my family at this time. I know it doesn't make much difference to Grandpa whether or not I was there... he knows how much I love him. But I was truly grateful to just be able to be there for my Dad and my Grandma. I wanted them to know how much THEY meant to me, as well as the rest of the family.

The funeral services were May 17th and 18th, and they were beautiful. This is the first funeral I've attended of someone truly close to me. I've been very blessed to not have to deal with much loss in my life, so I won't lie and say that this funeral was easy to get through. It was tough. There were a lot of tears. But at the same time, the peacefulness of the Plan of Salvation was readily apparent. I felt it strongly on many occasions. I feel enormously blessed to belong to such an amazing family. I stand in awe at the heritage I have been given and realize that it is largely due to the man my Grandpa was. And what I was truly thankful for (although not surprised by) was the amount of smiles, and laughter, and happiness that were present at the services as family and friends were reunited. Grandpa would have wanted nothing less.

I'm grateful that Grandpa is in a better place now. The last few years of his life were not what he would have chosen. He suffered from Parkinson's Disease and it really took its toll on him in the end. My once lively and radiant Grandfather could no longer use his body the way he always had. He was limited in what he could do and even say. It was hard on us all to see him reduced to this, but I'm sure to no one more than my Grandma. Grandma and Grandpa have always been the most wonderful example to me of loving your spouse--no matter what. On Grandpa's final day here on earth, Grandma told him it was okay for him to go. And then he was released from this life, separated from his sweetheart for a time. I won't even attempt to write down all that my Grandpa is/was... there is no way I could do proper justice. But one thing that I think sums up his life beautifully is something my Uncle Paul said in his funeral address: Grandpa was 'fiercely loyal'. He was fiercely loyal to his family, fiercely loyal to the prophets, and fiercely loyal to the Lord. I can think of no better way to live a life. Thank you, Grandpa, for your wonderful and amazing example to me. I love you.

I am truly thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ... to know that death is not the end of a loved one; to know that families really are eternal; and to know that I will see my Grandpa again.

{I was so thankful to have this little guy with me. It's true it meant I spent a lot of time chasing him or taking care of his needs instead of just being care free with my family, but since Jim couldn't be there with me, I was so grateful to have Little Man there to hold me tight when I needed it and to feel his love when I needed that too. Thanks for making the trip with me, Austin, and being a special reminder to me of happiness and what life is all about.}