We will miss you!!!

It is with a heavy heart that I write this blog post.  Tuesday May 8th our family lost my grandpa Cliff.  This came as somewhat of a shock to all of us.  My grandpa had a heart attack five years ago, but by the grace of God bounced back.  Last week he got into a car accident, and was hurt pretty bad.  However, he seemed to be making a recovery.  Tuesday morning he coded.  After trying to resuscitate him for ten minutes, they got a pulse.  After our entire family, and we have a rather large family, got the chance to say their goodbyes, they took my grandpa off of life support.  It was at that time my grandpa took his last breath and went home to be with the Lord.  He is now looking into the eyes of our beautiful Savior.  He is dancing with my grandma, once again, on streets of gold. 

As my grandpa took his last breath, the song "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman, started to play in my mind.  My grandfather left quite the legacy.  He lived every minute of his life for the glory of God.  It didn't matter where he went or who he was with, everyone my grandpa came upon heard about the love of Jesus.  This last year my grandpa took the opportunity to write a book, he celebrated his 85th birthday with dozens of friends and family members, and he was able to celebrate his last Easter with his entire family. 

My grandpa was there when I took my first breath, and I was there when he took his last.  Death is a very real part of life.  The pain that follows for those left behind is indescribable.  However, the joy that comes from knowing that this is not the end and that we will see him once again fills me with a peace that surpasses all understanding here on this earth.  This peace that the Lord has graciously laid upon me makes the pain bearable.   One day I will be in the arms of my loving savior, and I will be with my grandpa once again.  Until then, I want to leave a legacy of my own.  One that makes God proud of me.  One that glorifies Him in every way. 

My heart hurts because I know that I will never see my grandpa's face again on this earth, but it rejoices in knowing that he is pain free, happy, and is with the Lord. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for blessing our family with such an amazing man!  Thank you for the opportunity to be able to spend time with my grandpa and to know this man.  Thank you Father for holding him in your arms, until we can see him once again!!