These were my words for granddaddy's funeral:
This passed Saturday my Granddaddy knew it was time to go. He had
been suffering from Alzheimer's for over 4 years, and his suffering came to
an end when he took Jesus' hand and went to meet up with my Nana. To
see someone that you love loose a part of themselves like this is very hard
to watch and experience. The man who was always hugging us and
cracking jokes wasn’t the same. We were blessed with the fact that he
knew us until the end....he even remembered Colin and Maddox and the
fact that Sean, myself, and the kids had moved to Chattanooga. But, other
things were not easily remembered. When I found out that Granddaddy had
gone, these two verses came to mind: “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56 NIV) and
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not
be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) The fact that my grandparents are together and
celebrating in everlasting life, with our Creator is something amazing. They
no longer have Earthly suffering and bodies that fail. They are soaring and
that is a beautiful thing. So, I will remember my Grandaddy and not the
disease. He was a man that loved fiercely. He taught me that hard work is
important. He loved me and he loved my kids (great-grandparent love is
something amazing). He was proud of me and my family! He gave great
hugs, told jokes and laughed, always checked on us in-person when we
were sick, gave us lawnmower rides, and always shared his snack whether
it was a dessert, candy bar, or cashews. This is what I will remember. I will
miss him greatly. But he has found the promise land, and in the words of a
hymn that he loved, "To Canaan's land I'm on my way, where the soul of
man never dies. No sad farewells, no tear dimmed eyes, where all is love.
And the soul never dies!" I'm comforted by these words and the fact that
death is not victorious. I love you Granddaddy, a bushel and a peck and a
hug around the neck! I will see you again.
These love bugs were the sunshine to brighten up this time of sadness. We were so blessed by their sweet spirits and seeing everything through the eyes of a child. This wasn't a time to be too sad because now "Granddaddy was with Nana and they were both with Jesus!" I love the way the Lord teaches us through my kids. Precious angel babies!
So blessed that Papa O and Granny came to town!
Aunt Judy, Aunt Donna, Mom, Aunt Sarah (granddaddy's last living sibling), Aunt Darlene
We finally got meet sweet Mina!
Extremely blessed by the words brought by my sweet husband at the graveside service, and the fact that Colin stood beside his daddy through the entire service. So precious!
So proud of my mom and her strength!
Riddle Great Grand-babies!
Riddle Grandchildren :)
All the grandchildren, spouses, and great grandchildren: Jeffrey, Emily, Stephen, Mina, Dale, Nashmarie, Doug, Davin, Cameron, Sheena, Sean, Colin, Maddox, Shauna (baby Henley), and Lewis.
