My grandpa passed away this morning at the age of 91. I heard Wed. afternoon that he wasn't feeling well - and thought that I could make the trip up today to see him - but he passed on around 7am. I feel bad that I couldn't see him for one last time - but, at the same time, I'm glad that I'll be able to remember him as he was, before he was stuck in bed on oxygen. Great-grandpa Waters was loved by my kids so very much. He was the COOLEST guy ever - he flew on several airplanes during WWII - he gave them planes every time he saw them - he gave them bomber jackets that looked just like his - he showed them his medals, his souvenir bullets, his old pictures, he shared his stories. He would put them on his knee just like he did me when I was small.
Growing up he was the only grandpa I knew, the other died before my parents met. He was nicknamed 'grouchpa' by us
grandkids. He was a rough and tumble air-force vet, but he loved us more than anything in the world. I had a hard time growing up as the middle child, he always took time to show me that he loved me. Be it a cute little hat he found at the DI or a pat on the back - sharing his cookies - letting me sit in his favorite TV chair - showing me his coin collection - helping me start a collection of my own by giving me some of his - letting me look at all of his WWII stuff - letting me look at all of his collections in his bedroom (which we weren't usually allowed in). We would go up to Brigham City and spend the night there often, we even ended up living there for a while after my dad had lost a job and we didn't have a place to stay. He let grandma keep every stray cat she ever found - he volunteered for every single church event he could, even if he was too tired. He filled the font, set up and took down the chairs, he was early to every meeting so that he could say hi to everyone he could. He was a loyal scouter, earning his eagle and then the beaver awards. He would stop by my job when I was a teenager - I didn't see it then, but I now know that he was just keeping in touch in his own way.
I wish I had spent more time with him as I got older, but with kids, school, jobs and moving I just didn't make it up there very often.
One of my favorite memories was on the day I was married in the temple. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pointed to the lovely mirrors in the temple. He pointed out to me that the reflection goes on forever and that is how my new eternal marriage would be - it would last forever if I would just do my part.
He is now in heaven with my angel grandma together forever through the everlasting bond of eternal marriage. She was always so very dependant on him, she was the shy quiet one who didn't like talking on the phone, nor having her picture taken, who never got her driver's license, and he was the outgoing, adventurous type who was there for anyone, loved the outdoors, and took care of everything for everyone. In his later years he was forced to slow down his hurried pace, he could no longer be as head-strong, he couldn't be there to be sure that everything was done properly, he wasn't independent anymore. It was a hard thing for him to accept. Now he is there with her - to again pick up the pace and take on new responsibilities that our Father has for him. He is there to be the bold one, and she is there to be sure it is done with a gentleness of hand. I will miss my favorite grandpa - but only till we meet again.
Trent saw that they had the wood from the original hut they used when they discovered the mine had some potential and told the kids that they could "touch history". So they all took a turn touching wood from the 1800's. I don't know that the Kennecott people would have liked it much, but it made a good impression on the kids...
But he ended up going with some boring old blue and white ones (who wouldn't like the pink ones???) Look how happy he is with his new shoe on - his feet felt happy too - and so was Donsters because we were finally done.;)
