Together Forever

So we recently went to Hawaii for our "real" honeymoon. I call it real because Steven and I spent a week in Northern California right after we got married, but we really wanted to head to Hawaii. So we finally got to go. (I'll share some pictures and things later...but I want to talk about something else first.) I've been trying to find a way to express what I've been feeling and I think this is the best way.

We had just landed in San Francisco on our way out when my mom called to tell me that my grandfather had passed away. I think at first I was in shock, I couldn't believe that he was gone. I couldn't help but think off all my memories with him. We got into Hawaii late that same night and I was up early the next morning (partially because of jet lag). I headed out on the lanai to watch the sunrise and think through somethings. I couldn't help but remember heading to Hawaii with him and my grandmother as a child. I remembered heading to Pearl Harbor with him and learning about WWII. I remembered the summer I lived with him helping him to get ready for their move to Utah. He was more quiet than my grandma and so many of my memories before her death are ones that are quieter. I remember heading out to the garage one day and he was sitting there stripping the orange color from a nightstand that he had picked up. It was really pretty it had a flower carved into the front and had a beautiful wood under that orange. He was so patient and so kind to teach me and let me help out.

He was a kind man that was willing to help anyone that needed it. I loved my time I spent with him that summer and I loved being about to learn from him. He was an example of living what he believed. I knew that he had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew for himself that Christ lived and that he could be reunited with his wife after death. 

As I attended his funeral and stood around him with my family I couldn't help but think of eternal families. I know that he is with his parents and with his beautiful wife. I know that Steven and I can be together forever so long as we work towards it. I know that funerals aren't the end but a goodbye for a short time in this life. I know it was a hard thing, but I really loved having my husband there with me. When my grandma died I felt so lonely. I was serving a mission for my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Fay Saints, and was only able to talk to my mom for 5 minutes. It was hard to not go to her funeral and be able to share the feelings of sadness I felt with someone. I'm thankful that we could make it back from Hawaii in time to make it there. 

I love you grandpa!! I hope grandma and you are having a blast up there together!! Till we see each other again!!