A Life Well Lived

Tomorrow we will board a flight to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We will then make our way to the land where my life began: Waterloo, Iowa. This is the land of my heritage. I am and forever will be amazed by the gift of legacy I have been given. My grandfather passed away this morning. I am surprising myself in how well I am handling this. I am truly rejoicing in his life, legacy and future. He taught me to live a life of love, discipline and dedication to my Lord, family and work. I will always be indebted to his example and love to me. His last breath was taken in the same hospital as my first breath. As families grow and move to other cities and states it can be hard to stay connected to where you come from. This is a bittersweet reminder of where my life started.

I could go on for pages in telling you amazing ways of how he has helped mold me into the person I am today. I have wept in remembrance of sweet memories of our times together. He was born in 1920 and lived through this world seeing many hard times as well as joyous ones. I saw him leading a wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and he is an example of a life that was well lived.

There are a few memories of him that I will always keep. There is the twinkle of his sparkling blue eyes. His strong large hands that worked the land and made a living for his family. The same hands that engulfed my small hands and made me feel like an eternal child; safe in his grasp. His adorable laugh that truly shook his whole chest as he would laugh at a joke or a life situation. His devotion to my Grandmother and love for his family. His dedication to praying for each of us by name daily and loving to recite scripture to us. This was a man of character. They do not come along too often any more. What an honor it has been to have been a part of his life and legacy.

Here is a song by Waterdeep that my friend Gisele shared with me today. What a perfect description. Life is a journey and at times can be hard, but what a good, good end he is experiencing to this life.

Good, Good End

You can leave right now

You can ring a bell

You can tell ‘em you think I ain’t doin’ too well

But when I stood like you

I eventually fell

So you can leave right now

Go on and ring your bell

I’m amazed by life

And it’s amazed by me

We’re a strange old pair- me and eternity

It don’t make good sense

It ain’t easy to see

But I’m amazed by life

And it’s amazed by me

It’s a long hard road

With a good, good end

And if I keep on walking on past the crooked bend

I will meet my Maker

I will meet my Friend

It’s a long hard road

With a good, good end

I leave you with a few images of Iowa and the family farm at sunrise. I truly think this is how Grandpa envisioned heaven to be.