Just a couple days before grandaddy died he looked up and started singing the old hymn, "I'll fly away." My Aunt and I immediately joined in. It's a moment I'll never forget. My grandad the fighter. He lived through The Great Depression, he served in the military, he was a retired fireman, the father to 2 daughters and 2 sons, an awesome grandfather and great grandfather.
Selfishly I want him here. I want to watch he and my boys share western movies and talk about them. I want to cook him pot roast. I want to take him to Mayflower, Golden Corral, or anywhere. I want to watch him Christmas morning as he calls all the great grandchildren and pretends to be Santa Claus. (Which he got more pleasure out of than anyone) I want to take him to the fire station again and listen to him tell us about the fire trucks he rode on, the fires he fought. I want to take him to eat lunch there next weekend when they have their annual fundraising event. I want him to give me safety lessons about the kids on the stairs. I want to hear stories of his life as a kid, how his father worked on the railroad, how his father saved lumber during The Depression...
I know he's better. As I stared at his chest to see if there was anything left, my own breath was taken. In that moment my world was shaken. I lost it. It took a few minutes but I regained my thoughts. I went back into the room and it hit me. He is seeing Jesus right now! He was meeting his Creator right then, in that second! We were/are crying, he is rejoicing! Grandaddy is not struggling anymore.
Amazing grace... Grandaddy grew up going to church, but never fully embraced "Religion" or a relationship as an adult. He always had questions. He often visited the church service that was held at his old apartment building. He loved the way Martie preached. I remember one night when we took him out to eat at Kent's Seafood, he asked Martie if he would preach his funeral. It was sweet. Just in his last year of life He prayed and completely surrendered his life to Christ. While in the hospital he asked me to help him with prayer. He wanted to know how to pray. One early morning after having a decent nights rest he woke up praising God and saying how thankful he was that he was a Christian.
Yes, I am so sad. My heart is literally broken. You can never fully be prepared for the passing of a loved one. But I am so thankful there is HOPE! I am grateful granddaddy found that hope. I am thankful for God's grace that is lavished on us. I am so thankful that He (God) is patient with us and loves us in spite of our rebellion to Him. Most of all I am thankful that Jesus did come to a selfish people and chose to lay down his life for us so that by believing in Him we can be reconciled to God.
Some glad morning when this life is o'er,
I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
I'll fly away, Oh Glory
I'll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away).
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I'll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
Just a few more weary days and then,
I'll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I'll fly away (I'll fly away)
