One Year in Heaven

One year ago today a very special person in my life went home to be with Jesus. I still remember that night a year ago. I was getting ready for bed, had all the kids in bed, Joel was out of town and the phone rang. It was my mom - she said "Ronnie, Grandad's gone." Oh how my heart broke - you see I had a privelage that I will never forget because just the day before, I had been with my wonderful Grandad. My mom and her sister had taken Grandma to church and I was "in charge" of staying with Grandad. We all knew that his days were limited - didn't really want to admit it but we knew.

That day - the day I was with him- I will hold in my heart forever. You see, although his body was sick and not well at all, his mind was sharp as a tack. I mean, here he was on oxygen, could barely sit up, had to have help with pretty much everything and do you know what he did? That stinker beat me at Rummy one last time! I kid you not - I wasn't giving the old man chance either! I was going to show him that at 32 years old I could FINALLY beat him!!! Nope - my dear Grandad went to Heaven with a smile in his heart knowing that HE was the best Rummy player in the land.....It's okay though - I'm not bitter or mad because well you know - he really is the best.

So today - I sit here and I really want to cry because I miss my Grandad and our times together. I miss the fact that you could just sit with him - neither one of us saying a word and know that you were so loved and that you were with someone special. I miss that he won't get to watch my Tyler and say "Now that one has lots of energy" or "Ronnie you got your hands full with that boy." I miss that I can't go and try once again to beat the best Rummy player around - like that would happen!! Most of all....I miss just sitting next to him and him putting his hand on my lap and saying "Hi sweetie"


However - this I know! One day I will sit with my dear Grandad in Heaven and my oh my what a day that will be! I will be with him, my Grandparents Ashcraft and yes my incredibly wonderful sister Sherri. So - Grandad has been in Heaven for a year now... I can only imagine what that has been like for him. You know two nights before he left - he and I were in his room. Mom and her sisters and Grandma were meeting with the lady from hospice, he knew it was near the end. He was talking about Heaven and he said to me, "I sure miss your sister Sherri, I see her riding her white horse around Heaven." My response to him, "Grandad - I am just so jealous that you will see her before me!" He just smiled and said "I know". So this past year as we went through all the "firsts" without him....first Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first anniversary,etc He was going through his firsts in Heaven....First day to see Jesus face to face, first day to see those who had gone before, first time to worship at the throne of the Father!!!


I love you Grandad and I am coming one day to see you and Jesus. Until that day - I will cherish my moments with you of playing cards, talking about everything, you smiling at my kids, the pictures of you holding my little babies for the first time, the fact that you loved to "sneak" sweets past Grandma (by the way I think she always knew), and yes I will miss going to get ice cream with you. Have another wonderful year in Heaven Grandad!



This is the last time Tyler saw my Grandad and of course it was taken at the "card table"!