(In case you can't tell... my shirt says "Team Grandpa" and was the shirt we all wore last half marathon in support of my Grandpa)
My Grandpa Crockett was and still is one of my biggest heroes! He passed away about a week ago and I miss him dearly and deeply. My Grandpa remains my hero because he so perfectly taught me so many good attributes by his actions. For the past 7 years he has been recovering from a stroke and to top it off he battled cancer as well for the remainder of his valiant life. Despite all of this he never became bitter, he became better! I know he was a great example of so many who can benefit from the example of being grateful in every circumstance. However, I know that his example was exactly what I needed the past 7 years of my life. In comparison to my Grandpa's trials, going through the health challenges that I experienced at the same time as his is another manifestation to me of God's hand in all things. I remember many instances where my Grandpa would have been perfectly validated to complain and yet he turned outward and not inward. My Grandpa was always (and still is) concerned about how I was feeling and doing, not him. This has set such an example for me of how I want to become. God perfectly places people into our lives at the exact moment to teach us and to uplift us in all the ways that we need. I am so grateful for all that my Grandpa has taught me and I want to live to make my Grandpa proud.
I won't pretend to say that it has been easy, I miss my Grandpa terribly and I ache to see him just one more time. While talking with my Mom, I told her that this is the first time in my life if I have had to know if all that I say about the Gospel is true. Looking back on the week and the comfort that I have received from the Gospel and all of it's good news, I can honestly say that I do believe in all that I have been taught! The Gospel literally means good news! And being able to visit with my Grandpa again is part of that good news.
Grandpa, I just want to say that I am thankful for all the many visits we had together. Some of my favorite memories from my senior year is all the extra time I had, and I would often spend it with you. People would leave their visits with you always feeling uplifted. Thank you for the many phone calls once I moved to college. Thank you for the jokes, even the not so funny ones :) And thank you for the many memories that I have to keep. I love you, Grandpa!
I felt that posting about my Grandpa and all that he taught me was appropriate for my blog because he has taught me through example about how to be submissive, accepting, and even embracing of all of the things that life has to throw at us. How beautiful of an example has he set!
I am so glad that I ran this half marathon last June with my family as a proud supporter of "Team Grandpa"! I know that my Grandpa would find great joy in my family being happy and not sad, because we truly will see him again. These Things I Know.
If you feel so inclined, comment here (or on my Facebook link) something specific you are grateful for. You can even use the hashtag #teamgrandpa. Perhaps comment the blessing you see in your curse. I know it would make my Grandpa happy.
Click here to find the good news!
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