a legacy of love and faith




My grandpa, we all called him Papa,  loved to tell stories about days gone by.  According to his tales, he was quite sought after by the girls during his college days.  But there was something about one girl that was different.  Ruby Jean caught his eye and captured his heart.  And so on June 13, 1947 they pledged to to love one another for better or worse, in sickness and in health, with every single breath.  They hadn't hardly two pennies to rub together between them, but lots of love for one another and for their Father God.  Always a winning combination.  

I loved spending time with my grandparents growing up.  Summers on the lake fishing and riding bikes and eating my grandma's delicious strawberry pie.  My Papa was not perfect.  He could be stubborn and get frustrated at times but as I think back over his life I remember the way he laid down his life for others in love.  He offered to sacrifice his life for our country during WWII.
He worked hard every day to provide for his wife and his three children.  He gave of his time to help others in his community, teach children who struggled with learning, serve his church and his family.   He sacrificed his time, finances and security to bring hope and love to people in Haiti.  He was always available for his family and committed to his grandchildren.  Their home was often full of little children and each of us felt like he loved us the most.  And mostly there was never any doubting how much he loved my grandma and how much she loved him.  


These last years have not been easy.  Their bodies and their minds daily struggling but their love for one another never waning.  They may of had days when they forgot all other realities but two things always remained clear in their mind.... their love for one another and their faith in God.





My Papa went home to heaven last week.  Our entire family is grieving his passing, but especially the one who held his hand for 68 years.  It is a beautiful love story that birthed 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grand children.... each one of us committed to our marriages in good times and bad, each one of us committed to following Jesus Christ with our entire lives.  So while we our hearts are sad at this great loss, we also celebrate their beautiful legacy of love and of faith.  They are a testament to the possibility of being committed for a life time.    They are a testament to trusting God every day.  The are a testament to the beauty of true love.  



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