Grandpa

My Grandpa died today.

I sat on the couch eating Oreo's tonight and thinking of him. He was a Nabisco salesman my entire childhood. Which meant cupboards of crackers and cookies anytime we wanted. Like Nutter Butters and Saltines, Ritz and Chicken in a Biscuit, Wheat Thins and Triscuits, Animal Crackers, Chips Ahoy, Nilla Wafers, Teddy Grahams, Cheese Nips, and Honey Maid Graham Crackers, and even those hard to find "Christmas time only" Oreo's. 

He was a people-person, making friends wherever he went. Kind, honest, and accepting of anyone and everyone no matter who they were or what they'd done in their life.

He made us all laugh until we were in tears.

He was a great storyteller. 

Grandpa was a true craftsman.... I think I have something he made in every room of our house.

He had a great singing voice... "oh the Lumberjack he cut the pine..."

He taught me that the proper term for a white horse is a "zit."

He was a bit of a tease.

He did something really hard even though he didn't want to "pray about it." I will never forget seeing him on his mission in Nauvoo, IL as he helped get the temple ready. I never thought it would happen.

I have lots of memories of Grandpa. I wrote some down for him last Christmas.

I'm sad he is gone. It's weird to think no one will be at the house anymore. It makes me miss my Grandma too. But their reunion must have been more joyful than earthly mortals could possibly imagine. Not to mention the ruckus that has probably been caused with my Uncle Paul and Uncle Jim. 

Death is a weird roller coaster of emotions. It's hard to process sometimes. I went from crying and crawling back in bed early this morning to deciding I still needed to pack lunches, put dinner in the crock pot and go to work. Then looking for any picture I had of my grandparents together and crying and thinking maybe I should go back to bed and skip out on work. Pausing at work a few times to hold back the tears again. And now sitting on the couch not wanting to go to sleep.

And eating Oreo's.