Today, as I was mowing the lawn, I started thinking about my Grandpa Meengs. It was close to a year ago that he left us to be with his family in heaven. The day that my parents called me I was mowing the lawn also and I started thinking of some of these memories:
My grandpa was santa at Rogers Department store. I remember going to see him there and thinking how special we were because it was "our" grandpa who all these kids were excited/scared to see.
How at the dinner table he would always talk with his mouth full and after he was done eating he always would be playing with some leftover food in his mouth. The reason I know this is because he was always talking and you could catch a glimpse of it. At the time it was gross and I of course was embarrassed but now I laugh about it.
When staying at the cottage he would gather everyone to the pontoon boat and we would ride around the lake. All the while he was informing us of every detail that had changed since the last trip around the lake. He also would let us hang onto the front edge while he was driving forward, this was so awesome, looking back I now know why my mom would get so upset with that (we were only 8 feet away from the motor and if we let go...)
Then the stories, the stories of bomb shelters, Amway, State Farm, Umping, tiger muskies, pig heads, and Wal Marks.
When I was home visiting right before he left, I went with my parents to see him at the home. I am not scared or nervous in nursing homes but I was nervous to see my Grandpa. My mom said "Andrea, you have to realize that it isn't the Grandpa you remember." When we were there we carried on small talk with ourselves and Grandpa and just as we were ready to leave my Dad sang a hymn I can't remember what it was but I think "His eye is on the Sparrow" I will always remember that, know that my grandpa was looking to Heaven and waiting.
This is not something sad to me, I know that he is with the Lord and he is telling stories, umping, and probably talking with his mouth full.
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Copyright ATJ 2006-2010
Steal and get a hubcap to the head.
Steal and get a hubcap to the head.
6 comments:
Bear, that is really tender.
Just this morning I was thinking about how it would be cool if we named our son John in memory of Grandpa. This is not the name that we have chosen but I considered it for about 1 minute before I let it go. He is probably the first person who I know who has died that I really miss. I still feel the lose of his life. I miss how he would tell a story about you while you were in the room with him and he would do it in the third person. "There was this guy who slept in a bed that was 20 inches from the ceiling while he was in college..."(while I'm in the room) or "There was this girl who lives out in this state called Utah and one time she went to the closing ceremony of the Olympics..."(while you are in the room) It makes me realize the impact a life can make. Grandpa was someone who made a mark where ever he went, even without trying.
I miss him also,
love
Aaron
What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing. -mandle
Grandpa Meengs wasn't my ralation by blood but in every sense of the word he was my Grandpa. I don't remember much about my Grandpa's, they both died when I was quite young. One thing I do know is that I never felt the love for them that I felt for Grandpa Meengs. Now, whether that was because of age or maturity(Adam may have a few words to say about that) or what, I'm not sure but I have very fond memories of Grandpa. I always loved the way he would tell riddles and how excited he would get when you couldn't get the answer(or how excited he would get when he could break your riddles. For example, our daughter was 2 years old but hadn't had a birthday yet. Leap Year Baby.) I remember at his funeral, feeling sad that he was no longer going to be in our lives but happy because I know he is in heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ. I often wonder if he has his leg. If he's playing ball. If he's watching over his great grandkids. He sure did love to see them. Even in his last few weeks when we would go to visit. Just Adam and Sam at times. He always recognized Sam. I have to say I agree with Aaron that Grandpa Meengs definitely made a mark in my life. He will never be forgotten. Love, Tina
Bear, that is so feef.
There could be a million places to begin a story about Grandpa Meengs-water fights at the cottage (5 ten-year old boys vs. a one-legged 65 year old), playing with the matchbox and hot wheels cars at his office as he smoked his pipe, teaching us how to play mumble-t-peg with a rusty old jacknife. These don't even to begin to scratch the surface. Grandpa was someone who took pride in and helped cultivate the mischeivious and adventurous world of a young boy. Even in his last years, his eyes had that look as if he was up to something. It must have been one of the most wonderful sounds in his ear, hearing Grandma scolding him-"JOHN!", "FOR PETE'S SAKE JOHN!". He made sure in one form or another, that he would hear it often. What joy in knowing that he is in heaven now, enjoying health and strength, praising God- hopefully with better musical pitch.
Grandpa Meengs' eldest daughters' eldest son.
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