A New Angel Watching Over Me

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you,
and whispered, "come to me."

You didn't deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best

And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.

- Author Unknown

My sweet Grandpa passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning.
He struggled with heart disease, lung problems, and diabetes for around 18 years but he was a fighter till the end.  He always put up a good front whenever we were around, even on days he was struggling to catch his breath.  God truly blessed me with such a loving Grandpa and He blessed us again with taking him home peacefully in his sleep, with no pain, no struggle, and no suffering.  After one last hug and kiss from my Grandma, he laid his head down to sleep and woke up with the angels.  He will be greatly missed.  Eating tomatoes, sweet corn, strawberries, hearing a blue grass song on the radio or tv, or going to Monical's Pizza will never be the same. 

To honor my Grandpa and help my mom and Grandma out I asked what could I do to help...  I was given the task of putting some pictures together.  We scoured photo albums and all our digital albums on our computers for pictures and with the help of my amazing sister, we put some boards together.  I know during times of loss, putting pictures together in time for a visitation is difficult and is probably why most times you see them thrown up on a poster board.  I have nothing against photo collages up on a poster board, but that's just not me or my style.  So, we went to Hobby Lobby and bought some canvases and made 5 boards: Son/Brother, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Gene
It was a J-O-B, but fun.  We cried.  We laughed.  We were exhausted, but we got it done and were so pleased with how they turned out.  The time and energy we put into them was all for my Grandpa and Grandma, and I know he would have loved it.  We included playing cards on them, some with quotes, because if anyone knew my Grandpa you know how much he loved playing Shoot the Moon and Euchre.  So, it just seemed appropriate to include them somehow and we made sure to give him one last winning Shoot the Moon hand on his board.  I thought using the little clothes pins would be best so that I wouldn't ruin any of my Grandma's photos and they could easily be put back in their albums. 

I would appreciate any prayers for my family during this time.  My sweet Grandma is heart broken after being married for nearly 61 years to her best friend. 

This poem was on the back of the funeral program and my Grandma felt it was just like Grandpa speaking to her telling her it was going to be ok, dry those eyes, and...

I Am Always With You
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile, and a "Welcome Home."