Me, baby Marian, Grandma Marian, and Grandpa Dick
at Marian's baby blessing January 2007
For his tribute this year I want to share what I wrote in my journal as I flew back to Utah for my Grandpa Dick's funeral in June of 2010.
"I'm flying to Utah for my Grandpa Dick's funeral. I've known that this was coming for several months, in fact I remember when I said goodbye to him last August in Park City, I thought that might be the last time I saw him before he passed away. I don't know of better examples of Christlike love, service and goodness than my Grandpa Dick and Grandma Marian. I have so much to say about them I could fill up this journal.
My Grandpa Dick is:
"Use it up wear it out, make it do, or do without!"
fresh peaches with cream
backyard games of football
10 Christmas presents during the Great Depression bought for $1.00
Gold glass cups filled with Root Beer
"Good Night Nurse" (the necessary "curse" when milk is spilled)
The clean plate club (don't waste anything!)
Good Thoughts (family tradition of sharing a good adage, scripture, or just a plain good thought at the dinner table)
Plastic utensils in the dishwasher
Master of the grill
Missionary in Africa
A treasure box (he kept little treats for his Grandchildren in a locked treasure box)
A walking poetry collection
laughing, loving eyes
a Witness of Christ
A "choice" person. (He always used that phrase)
waiting at the bottom on the hill for Grandma to come down the Alpine Slide in Park City
strong pushes on the backyard swing
riding his bike to the grocery store
stories of the Great Depression
garbage collector at family parties. (he always had a trash bag in hand at parties)
Owner of a typewriter...long past the days of typewriters
friend to everyone he meets- always welcomes a guest
card counter and winner in Rook
Chocolate malts (in small servings)
To celebrate Grandpa Dick on his birthday, the kids and I recited poems that we have been working on. This video shows how willingly and joyfully my kids go along with all my motherly plans and schemes...ha...ha...ha. And trust me when I tell you this was the BEST of many many takes.
