Papa

After we took the kids to see grandpa on Sunday his health continued to quickly decline.  By Thursday they moved him to a really nice hospice center.  Thursday night Deke and I went alone without the kids to see him.  The spirit there was so peaceful and calm.  We were able to go in and be alone with him together.  Deke sat on the couch and let me sit by grandpa and say my goodbyes.  I was able to thank him for a lifetime of wonderful memories, tell him how much I loved him and ask him to kiss our babies when he sees them.  It was so hard to say goodbye and as we left I knew it was the last time I would see him before he passed.  The next afternoon he passed away very peacefully with my mom and Eden in the room with him.  It has been very emotional and hard for our entire family.  When we sat the kids down and told them, they all cried and cried.  We know where grandpa is and have peace in that but it is so strange without him here and I miss him so much.  

His funeral was the weekend after Thanksgiving.  A friend of theirs had made him a beautiful casket that was exactly what he would have wanted.  It had horseshoe handles, an elk and elk tracks imprinted on the side, Trailor his nickname on the bottom and even some camo fabric inside.  There was a beautiful flower arrangement on top that they had placed a trap in the middle of since he trapped all of his life.  The funeral was nice, all of his kids did his life sketch and the grandkids sang.  Soon it was time to head over to the cemetery.  Both Deke and Hunter had been asked to be pallbearers.  As I watched my husband and son alongside all my cousins helping to carry grandpa to his resting place it was so tender. Watching Deke do this service for my grandpa I felt so much love and gratitude for him.  I feel so blessed.  Hunter has had a hard time with the loss, he has had some very special times with papa.

Kendon played guitar and the grand and great grandkids sang.  Then the boys each placed their flowers on top of the casket.

They lowered him down and each of us took turns helping shovel some of the dirt and tossing our flowers into the grave. As we all worked together as a family, serving grandpa in this way the spirit was so strong and I couldn't stop the tears.  We are all so grateful for grandpa, the things he taught us and the life that he lived.  We look forward to the day we get to see you again grandpa, we love you.