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puzzle pieces

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A Century + 2 of Living

Grandad passed away 2 days  ago- 
at 102 (and a 1/2) years old.

He drove until he was 95,
and lived on his own up until a year ago.

He lived a long life- was blessed with more time than the average person.
He lived through both World Wars~worked in the Navy and fought during WWII.
He gardened, traveled, knew how to fix or build anything.
He loved his flowers and enjoyed bird watching.
He married and had 3 children, which
 led to 6 Grand ~kids and 9 Great Grand~ kids.
~~~~~
I met him 16 years ago, but because he lived in England (half a world away from us), that was the one and only time I saw him.
Out of my 4 kids, only one was ever lucky enough to fly over and celebrate his 100th Birthday with him.
Yet we wrote back and forth.
He remembered us all on Birthdays, Anniversaries and Christmases.

For some unknown reason- I sent his Christmas letters from the kiddos over to him in November.
And HIS Christmas card to us, came just 2 weeks ago.
I am so thankful we didn't miss that last letter from him.
One we will keep forever.


~~~~~~

Isn't it amazing how many lives can be touched by one person?
The choices he made led us as a family - 
all up to this point in time.

Thank you for leaving us with such a great heritage Grandad.
You are missed by your family and those who knew you.
You were a Blessing to all of us.


Grandad
June 21, 1908 ~~~ December 7, 2010



33 comments:

Allison said...

This is so meaningful, Dawn. I'm sorry he has passed on (especially now before the holidays) but the way you treasure him is a legacy that will follow him for years to come.

Such beautiful handwriting - that card has touched my heart. Hugs, my friend.

Liesl said...

So sorry for your loss Dawn. Your Granddad was indeed blessed with a long eventful life,what he must have seen in his lifetime!

Anonymous said...

I am really sorry for your loss :(
My mom passed away this last summer..
But i can feel her presence all around me, whenever i need her advice..or just to say hi! to her!
Our bodies are not designed to go on forever..
But our spirits are!

Your Granddad sounds like the one we all would like to have! :))
The pictures you posted..are awesome!
Big Hug to you.

Nancy said...

Very poignant post, Dawn. Your granddad must have had such an interesting life growing up when he did. So much history is lost when our older loved-ones pass. So glad you got to meet him. (((hugs)))

Jayne said...

Wow... a life well lived. So sorry for his passing, but celebrating a long wonderful life right along with you.

Deb said...

sorry for your loss Dawn....sounds like he lived a long wonderful life...so glad you received his last Christmas card before Christmas...what a special gift...love the last photo

Gerreke said...

Sorry for your loss Dawn. Wow what an age, 102,5! Unbelevable! I hope you can give this loss a place in your hart.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Sorry for your loss Dawn. But what a perfectly full life he lived! A cause for celebration. I love that you got his Christmas card too.

Anonymous said...

Le Sigh** What a beautiful and touching post. How blessed you all are to have that last note and to have known him. He is smiling down on you all and saying,

"Yes, they are quite lovely that family of mine"

Leah J. Utas said...

Sorry for your loss.

Hope said...

didn't expect to tear up this morning. Your words are beautiful and written with honor and dignity.
what a blessing to live as long as he did!
My condolences to you and your family

Elizabeth Grimes said...

I'm sorry for you and your family's loss. What a treasure that last letter is. He sounds like an amazing man.

TexWisGirl said...

Oh, Dawn. I'm so sorry. But I'm so glad you sent the Christmas cards early this year and he, in turn, responded before leaving this earth. I loved Lynne H's comment and wholeheartedly agree that he is proud of you all. :)

Lynette Jacobs said...

Wow...what a wonderful blessing to have such a long and healthy life. I can just imagine how much wisdom he has accummulated over the years.

xx

Anonymous said...

so touching...I am sitting here with tears in my eyes....
that card...WOW Dawn
what a beautiful legacy he left you

love and light

Jo said...

Oh, I just got all teary. How lucky you are to have gotten that letter so close to the end of his life.
Two World Wars. What an amazing life he must have lived.

Out on the prairie said...

A beautiful post and lovely to have had a grandparent to share your life with.My youngest gandma would have been a year older and the other 3 were born in 1888. Needless to say I am the patrioch of a family spread out over time, 5th generation in the states.

Rambling said...

He sounds like a wonderful, very thoughtful man ... you will miss him very much. Our sincere condolences.

Farm Girl said...

Wow that is something. I love this post and I am so sorry for your loss, at any age is hard. What a loving man to have remembered birthdays and such. Thank you for sharing and I hope you are okay and I am glad you got a Christmas card from him.
Blessings,

Michelle said...

What a life he lived. And, how wonderful that you knew him, even if he was so far away.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you Grandpa passed away. Wish you strength during this period in life..

Scented Sweetpeas said...

That is so sad :-( My great grandad lived to around 90ish, it must be great but hard to live such a long life. It is quite spooky really as his writing is nearly exactly the same as your Grandads, I have kept some of his past Christmas piccies and cards to me. Take care. x

Aimee said...

I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was an amazing man. At 102, he lived a very long and, I am sure, full life. How awesome that you got that last Christmas card from him!

Tricia said...

he sounds amazing

floweringmama said...

What an amazing post. I'm truly sorry for your loss. It's hard anytime, but the holidays can make it harder. He saw many things in his life time . . .

Prayers to you and yours

Hilary said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Granddad, Dawn. He sure lived a long, wonderful life. This a lovely tribute to him, and to the many generations since, and to come.

Rick said...

What a legacy he left ! And how fortunate you were to have him as your granddad !! Beautiful that you received that last letter from him - to be treasured forever. Sadness that you can no longer receive letters or cards from him, but joy that he's in his eternal home.

You might like this.

Carole Barkett said...

It's so true, when you look at choices a person makes and how it affects generations. How wonderful that you got a chance to know him.

darlin said...

What a rich, blessed life your Granddad lived, his handwriting is amazing and what a blessing to receive his card this one final time. What a touching post. My condolences Dawn.

JAGDISH BALI said...

Very touchy. May god give peace to the departed soul.

Sheree said...

Dawn, I'm sorry I'm just reading this. Things have been crazy busy around here, but even sorrier to read that you lost your Grandad.

What a wonderful long fulfilling life he had though! We miss these older people in our lives when they leave us but it's always such a blessing when you can smile and know that they had a wonderful time while they were here!

Amazing how things work out like they do, isn't it? You sending his letters early and receiving his early as well...really, just amazing! xoxo

our little love nest said...

We send our love to you and your family for your loss. What beautiful words in commemoration of him.
We lost my mom's dad at Christmas time 2 years ago so I feel with you.
Wishing you and your family all the best! xo

Pat Tillett said...

So sorry to hear about your loss! It sounds like he lived a very interesting and loved life.
What a touching moment it must have been to receive the card....