Grandpa

It's hard to believe that Grandpa is gone... well gone from this earthly life, but living now in heaven. I have so many memories of my grandpa. He was such a big part of my whole life. I remember going to the farm countless times as a kid, enjoying all the Sundays for coffee and dinner and us kids falling asleep in the car on the way home from Grandma and Grandpa's house, biking the 20 miles from our house in Waupun to his in Randolph, getting Starbursts from Grandma as soon as we could scamper onto the counter and find the candy cupboard, walking with Grandma down the cow lane to call the cows in for milking. And then as we grew a little older, seeing Grandma and Grandpa move into town (gasp!) off the farm, driving in the motorhome with Grandma and Grandpa to Disneyworld (what a trip that was!), and having Grandma and Grandpa come to our birthdays, volleyball games, basketball games, and track meets. They were always there, a part of every big and little event of our lives. And then when Grandma passed away, I don't think Grandpa quite knew what to do with himself. He certainly made an effort -- he learned how to cook, how to do laundry, and how to clean. He even came down to Trinity Christian College to be there for Grandparents' Day -- by himself. The years passed by, the grandkids started getting married, and then the great-grandchildren started to arrive. Grandpa was always such an important part of our lives. We will all miss him... and look forward to seeing him again as we join him in worshipping our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, together for all eternity. A couple of months after Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer for the first time and had surgery, he made a trip out to Visalia to visit us. We had a great time showing him around and enjoying some of the sights. It was wonderful to have him here; and fun for him to get to see Daniel take some of his first steps!

Daniel with his great-grandpa and Uncle Jason

Grandpa with our 3 kids, one year ago, on Thanksgiving