For those of you who didn't know my grandfather, he was a big man standing at 6'6". He had custom made size 16 shoes. He had a rough exterior and may have intimidated some.
His rough exterior was accompanied by a strong sense of humor. I once brought a date home when grandpa was around. My cheeks flushed when I heard him say "He's not as ugly as you said he was." This was not an uncommon scenario as many of his children and grandchildren have similar stories. He cracked jokes with old friends and strangers he would meet.
My grandpa was not afraid to be himself or to stand alone. My uncle shared a benedictory prayer he once gave in church. All he said was, "Help us to be as good as our parents think we are." My uncle also talked about a time when he alone stood to oppose a sustaining. Many in the congregation were taken aback by this, but it left a lasting impression on my uncle.
My dad spoke of his great faith. He said that my grandpa was comfortable with the life he had led and was not afraid to die. A few days before he passed away, the nurse entered his room and exclaimed that his oxygen level was very low. He replied, "Yes, and I hope it goes a lot lower here pretty soon." I hope I can be as comfortable with the life I have lived before I die.
I fondly remember all of the time he spent with his grandchildren. We spent many hours with him fishing and camping in Wyoming, hauling freshly chopped wood, singing around the campfire, getting a good dose of American folklore, and listening to the many poems he would recite. My favorite can be seen on my blog post on Oct. 10th entitled "I Don't."
He was a man of great valor who had a deep abiding faith in and love for our Savior Jesus Christ and for his Gospel. I am so grateful that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and is on the earth again. I can't wait to see my grandpa again one day.
The legacy he left was purposeful. He knew who he was and what he wanted to teach his children and grandchildren.
