A Tribute to My Grandfather

From my view as a child: 

He was tall, 6' 2" to be exact, trustworthy, fun and you better pay attention when he was giving instructions! 

An unexpected "BEEP-BEEP" from behind would send my heart leaping out of my chest like the coyote's when confronted by the Roadrunner wondering, how does he sneak up so quickly!

No problem was too small, no time was considered wasted even if he had to repair the ropes on the swings over and over again.

The joy in his inventions to solve my troubled heart over a broken toy, or to cure boredom by tying string to old tin cans for stilts or if that wasn't the right prescription, there was always a chore to be given. 

A joyous laugh, a deep stern voice, a spontaneous song all to be heard at any corner of the house. 

*  *  *

From my view as an adult: 

He was tall, 6' 2" even at age 90, trustworthy, never a dull moment and you still better pay attention when he was giving instructions! 

"Hello" from the moment I puled into the driveway and the last one waving good-bye reminding me to wear my seat belt, adjust my mirrors and drive safely.

The stories of hosting camp grounds off the Blue Ridge Parkway with my grandmother at his side hauling their "Little House on the Pavement", to tales of war and his father whom he highly respected.

A born leader trusted by many; A man of his word.

The calls from his friends and neighbors and the jingling of keys as he headed out to meet their needs; a tender heart, a confident mind, a man who would stand by your side.

To a daughter and son he was a consistent father, to his country a veteran, pride in the red, white and blue!

His repetitive words of love and admiration daily directed toward his wife of 66+ years whom he knew to the end, despite the sickness of dementia that would close his eyes one last time.

A joyous laugh, a soft kind word, a look of pleasant surprise when he hears that I'm his granddaughter for the seventh time in a day.

A sinner, a believer, a man now made whole, united with his Savior!

The memories of you Pop-pop will sweeten our loss until we see you again!

 

We all leave behind some kind of memory and legacy. My grandfather, or Pop-Pop as he was known among me, my siblings and cousins, was a loved and important man to many he left behind!

3 Years.

          Today is our wedding anniversary. I feel like it's cliche to say "only 3 years, it feels like longer", but that's how I feel. In honor of the day, below is the song we danced to at our wedding. It was a great start to the last 3 years!

"Million Miles" 
by Josh Garrels

Feel the wind blow, through the window, I know,
that we’ll make it through
It’s a million miles from, where we begun, and I,
I still love you

I remember, as clear as ever, the day,
when we first met
Lord you know I, l love to hold her eyes, in mine
everyday since

Everyday and night
Together we will grow
Makin' the most of a life
As we hold each other close

As we grow old, may it be told, that we,
never lost our flame
If love’s a fire, Then our desire, is to burn,
untamed

Everyday and night
Together we will grow
Makin' the most of a life
As we hold each other close

Our Story

I met my husband Jason at a block party that he and his roommate, Stephen, hosted on a hot, muggy August night in 2009. I first noticed him by his distinctive laugh which caught my attention right away because it stands out in a crowd, and boy was it crowded that night!

It wasn't long before we were introduced by a mutual friend who's name is also Sarah and who is now married to Jason's roommate, Stephen. They are to this day some of our closest friends! After being introduced and inbetween intervals of "how-dee do's" with others and plates of good 'ol burgers and hot dogs, we enjoyed chatting throughout the night. There was live music under a tent in the front lawn that did little to ward off the summer rain and the waves of bug spray that Jason bathed himself in up wind from where I was sitting. Potion #9???

Our interactions would have ended that night if it wasn't for "Spaghetti Tuesday" (A.K.A. "SpaTues"). This is exactly what you imagine, Jason and Stephen would cook up a big pot of spaghetti for everyone and anyone who wanted to come over. So, staying true to this idea, I was invited to come along the following Tuesday. A few months of interactions over pasta and garlic bread allowed us to get to know each other to the degree that you can in a group setting. But Jason wanted to get to know me better and I was VERY interested and intrigued to know this fun, laid back yet ambitious man! One Tuesday night after a plate full of spaghetti and time with my new group of friends, he squeezed past a few of us getting ready to leave and walked me to my car. He asked if I would like to get coffee sometime and after pausing, so as not to sounds too eager, I gave him my number to call and soon after that a dating relationship naturally evolved!

September 16, 2011 we were married and for better or worse, for richer but mostly poorer, we started this journey of life together which consisted of (and still does) me working as a legal assistant and making a home for us while Jason worked hard at the health department and retaking some undergrad/pre med courses that had expired (after undergrad Jason spent several years in Argentina with CRU and after that spent several years deciding what to do once he returned to the States).

SIDE NOTE: if you intend to pursue medicine, most science classes expire around 5 years. 

Shortly after our first year of marriage Jason started studying for the MCAT and applying to schools. He ended up taking the MCAT twice, which I hear is pretty common, I'm glad that part is behind us. This past fall of 2013 he applied to many schools around the US and on March 8, 2014 he received his first out of 2 acceptance letters! We are going to medical school!