January 14, 2011, early in the morning my Grandpa Ed's body was glorified and he joined the heavenly throng. Last week we committed his body to the earth.
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| Riding the horse my dad made for my western themed high school graduation |
Grandpa was my mom's dad. He lived to be 93 years old. In the last couple years Grandpa has gone downhill as first his mind then his body felt the effects of dementia. Up until then he and Grandma Dot lived in their home place 1/4 mile up the road from my girlhood home. Across the gravel road from us was my aunt and her family. Their only son lived a three-wheel ride down the dirt road across the section. My earliest memories of my Grandpa include walking up the road for a visit. The first place we went upon entry to the house was the "duck". It was a ceramic bowl about the size of a basketball with a duck for a lid and it held tootsie pops. Next stop was the bathroom where we got the rubbing alcohol from under the sink and cotton balls out of the glass pharmacy jar on the counter. Grandpa would be sitting in his easy chair and we would proceed to soak the cotton balls in rubbing alcohol and use them to swab his bald scalp. We never failed to be impressed by the dirt we could remove and Grandpa never failed to smile and cackle his signature laugh.
Like many farmers Grandpa retired at 65 and continued to work around the farm, when he wasn't wintering in Texas or summering in Minnesota. Although he grew up with a love of horses it was wheels that he used to get around in his beloved pasture. Like clockwork he was out checking on the cattle. As much as he liked to work he liked to play. I have so many great memories at Cass Lake in Minnesota and Paradise Park in Texas.
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| Working cattle |
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| At the lake Grandma Dot in her red sweater and Grandpa in a seed cap -That's not a bear behind us- its my dad! |
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| In Texas helping Madigan tie the hula skirt we just brought back from across the Mexican border |
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| Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa with the kids taking a walk last summer |
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| 3 kids, 12 grandkids, and 32 (and counting)great-grandkids- This pic was the year 5 greats were born in a matter of months |
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| The ice cream truck handing out treats to the great-grandkids at Cousin Camp |
Perhaps most of all this final photo captures Grandpa's hell-bent-for-election spirit. What it doesn't show makes me wish I had a video camera that day. We were camping in the pasture over memorial day and he had come to say hello. After chatting a bit he proceeded to cross the crick in the background to check the livestock on the other side. He gave not a second thought that the water was so high he had to rest his feet on the fender to keep them dry. Seeing as how both of his knees were replacements he had to raise up his legs with his hands. There was nothing to do but watch in amazement and pray.
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Up until the time they went into the old people's home they would of an afternoon show up at my door 40 miles from their home unannounced and gladly received for coffee. A bit scary as Grandma admitted that Grandpa often couldn't remember the directions and she had to tell him where to turn. When they left I was always sure to call my mom so keep an eye for their safe return.
Another life chapter written another page turned. This past week has been another of recollection and fond remembrances. It has also led me back to the Psalms to balm my soul.
"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2 |
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