My Grandpa Harold passed away on Oct. 1st. He was a wonderful man and my cousins best described it in their talk representing his 18 grandchildren.
42 births,
25 First Communions, 24 high school graduations, 20 weddings…countless swim
meets, golf tournaments…football, baseball, wrestling, and track events. Not to
mention the myriad of concerts, plays and musicals, award ceremonies, and
school Grandparents’ Days. No matter which state we lived in, Grandpa could
tell you about each of and every one of these events he supported us at.
He could
also tell you something special about each one of his grandchildren-in-laws and
his 17 great-grandchildren, never struggling to keep us all straight. Grandpa
kept a running list of all of our spouses, girlfriends, or boyfriends…their first
and last names and places of birth. We later learned this list was Grandpa’s
prayer list…he prayed for each of us every day. Once you made the list you
stayed on the list…so to this day Grandpa is still praying for all those high
school boyfriends. J
Grandpa’s
voice could always be heard at any family gathering or singing in Church. Yet
despite the loudness and laughter Grandpa could slip away for a snooze right in
the middle of the room. I guess after raising 5 girls he had to learn to cope.
Grandpa was
our human atlas—always able to give advice for the best route for the upcoming road
trip, whether through the Midwest, down to Florida, or out to the West Coast. He
knew the best rest stops and where to fill up with the cheapest gas.
Grandpa was
the one adult who offered us a second helping of dessert, or maybe even a
third. He was the one who taught us portion control: we learned to ask, “Do you
want normal size or Grandpa-size?” And of course we wanted Grandpa-size, which
meant heaping bowls of ice cream and watermelon slices bigger than our heads.
Grandpa
taught us all kinds of things: Red on game days and Church on Sundays. Vote for
the “good guys” and not the “crooks.” He even taught us catchy phrases like
“Beans, beans the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you…” I’ll stop
there and let you fill in the rest.
Perhaps our
fondest memories are the numerous trips to the zoo, hikes through Fontanelle
Forest, afternoons at the Joslyn or Durham museums. Grandpa shared his passion
and his humor in all things we did.
Grandpa, we
know you’re watching over us from heaven, your booming voice saying “Hey ya
squirt!” You’re probably doing your daily crossword puzzle, reading National
Geographic, and getting ready for the big game on Saturday. You have left us
with so so many memories; you’ll be impossible to forget. We couldn’t be
prouder to continue your legacy. In honor of this legacy, we made up a song to
Grandpa’s favorite tune…(all Grandkids stand up and sing)
Grandpa’s Fight Song (a rendition of the Husker Fight Song)
There is no man like Grandpa,
Dear old Grandpa you.
For whom the horses race fastest,
And the Huskers fight hardest,
Of the greatest legacy I knew.
There is no man like Grandpa,
For whom respect ensued.
We all stick together,
In all kinds of weather,
For dear sweet Grandpa you!
I am proud and blessed to be part of his legacy. I love you Grandpa!