Special Moments – A Tribute
“I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown”
The one night of the week I looked forward to, almost without realizing it. Thursday night was the night when we went over to Granny and Grandas’ house while mum and dad went to a meeting at church. We would arrive during the evening news, and this was a time that defined the phrase, ‘children should be seen and not heard’. We would sit quietly – or as quietly as an eleven year old can during the news – until the ad break, when my granda would mute the TV and would ask us about school. We would talk for a few minutes and then take our positions, mine usually on the floor at my grandas’ feet, while we watched Emmerdale.
Again, during the ad break granda would mute the TV and we would talk some more. My granny would make us warm bread and warm milk, although she liked to think of it as tea and toast. We would hear stories of when my mum was a little girl. We laughed at the time when she brought home a white rabbit without her parents knowing and hid it in the coalbunker so they wouldn’t find out. My granda would tell us about the places he and my granny used to go on his motorbike and sidecar.
We watched The Bill, or as granda would call it, ‘The Duck’, and after, my granny would sing to us while we waited on our parents coming to pick us up.
Last night, Monday 17th January 2011, at 95 years of age my granda went home to be with his Lord. He was a man of honour and integrity, devoted to serving Jesus faithfully. He was a loving husband, father, granda, great-granda and a true inspiration to the many lives he touched throughout his life.
The quote above is from one of the hymns we used to sing together on a Thursday night. I can’t think of a better way to describe how my granda lived his life. You could never have met a more content man.
A few months ago as I sat and talked with him while my granny was in hospital he showed me a promise book he keeps with his bible. He said, ‘God has always been faithful’, but he said it in a way I had never heard it said before. He believed it with his whole heart.
I’m going to miss granda so much. I’m greatful for all of the memories I have and it is a comfort to know that he lived his whole life for this moment, when he can meet Jesus face to face.
I love you granda
Craig
