Grandpa

 My sweet grandpa passed away early this morning.

  There were some real miracles and answers
to prayers that we witnessed with his passing.  

 Although we will miss him tremendously 

we are grateful that he is free of pain and suffering.  He is
now reunited with many loved ones and I can only imagine how long the line
of people is, of those for whom he did temple work - I'm sure they

have been waiting to greet him and thank him :) 

 My grandpa was one of the greatest men I know!  I was lucky to live near him my entire life and to be influenced by him daily.  That is a rare thing. 

Oh, how I love him.  

His earthly journey is complete and he is back home!  What comfort the knowledge
of that brings- I am grateful to KNOW it!   

Yesterday morning I called my mom to check in and ask about grandpa- something that has been routine the past few weeks as his health has been rapidly declining.  My mom encouraged me to bring the boys to see him.   When they got home from school I talked to them about grandpa Murray and told them that we should go see him- that he was not doing well.  We talked about all of the things that they love about grandpa and what things they have learned from him and how we should be sure to tell him how much he means to us! They each drew a picture for grandpa to take to him.  Evan wrote "I love you, I will always remember you." Eli wrote a poem "Roses are red, violets are blue I love being with you.  You've taken me fishing more than twice you are always so nice.  I love you. I will miss you."   We traced Gabe's hand and he drew a picture of a fish for grandpa.   As we drove I kept thinking that this would probably be the last time that my boys would see their great grandpa.  It was a sobering thought but it was quickly replaced with peace as I thought of the great impact my grandpa has had on these boys of mine and his entire family.  That we have been a part of his life has been such a blessing!  My grandpa, although just one man, has influenced countless lives.  That is just the kind of man he is- the quiet humble kind that you can't help but love, immediately and fully!  He lived a great life filled with love and happiness, service and family. 

When we got to my grandparents place,  we hung the boys pictures on the wall and visited with grandma for a while.  Grandpa was unable to talk to the boys but we knew that he could hear us.  We knew that he would love to hear them singing and thought that he would find comfort in listening to them.  What a tender moment it was to listen to and see the love in their eyes as Evan and Eli earnestly sang their favorite primary song to him.  "I know that my Savior loves me." Such a powerful song, the spirit was so strong in that room and I know that grandpa loved it!

  I didn't think that he would pass away just hours later.

It was a peaceful morning as we gathered around his bedside early this morning to gain

strength from each other and to support my grandma whom he loves dearly. Their love is endless and has been an example to me my entire life... Yes, we will all miss grandpa.  I will think of him every time I see a sunset, a curly cup in spring, pussy willows, quaking aspens, bird houses, carpenter tools.... Every time I eat licorice, walnuts, smoked fish or grilled turkey... Every time I smell saw dust or wood, a bon fire, and mountain air. Many of the things that I love in life- I learned to love because of him.  

Everywhere I turn there are reminders of grandpa.  

How lucky I am to have known him well enough to have so many reminders and memories of him!  How lucky I am to have been loved so dearly by him 
and in return to love him right back.  

...Until we meet again, my sweet grandpa- I love you!