Good morning, everyone. I’m sure some of you have noticed that I was a bit absent in the blog world last week. I’m woefully behind in responding to comments, and I know I cryptically alluded to being unexpectedly called home last week. I wanted to pop in quickly today to finally let you know what is going on.
Last Tuesday I got a call that my grandfather was not doing well at all. I made the 4 1/2 hour journey to the Dallas hospital to be with my family, and I remained in town until Friday when it appeared that he was doing a bit better. Just a few hours after I published my post on Friday, my stepdad called to let me know he taken a turn for the worse, and, as John and I made the trip back home, I received another call letting me know he had passed away.
So we’ve been spending some much needed time with family this weekend, and we’ll be celebrating my grandfather at his funeral later today. I wanted to let you all know that I’m still here, and I’ll be back to normal soon. For now, I need to take the time to say goodbye.
Before I go, I want to share a quick story that lifted my heart so much this weekend. After hearing the news Friday night, my sister and brother-in-law stopped to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to my mom’s house. When they pulled up to the drive-thru window, they were told that the car in front of them had paid for their meal already. Of course, those people had no idea what Caite and Justin were dealing with. They just decided to perform an act of kindness, and they will never know how much it has meant to everyone in my family over the weekend. I definitely plan on paying it forward.
So sorry to hear about your grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today as you celebrate his life. In honor of him, I will be paying it forward today.
Thank you, Sonja! I just teared up a littl reading that!
I love stories like that. Paying it forward can be so powerful. I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather. Losing a family member is never easy.
It really was. Those people had absolutely no idea how much that one small act meant to so many.
gosh moments like that really remind me of all the great people there are out there. I hope you and your family stay strong through this and you will all be in my prayers.
Thank you, Alex!
My heart goes out to your whole family, Nat. I read this post during my lunch break at work, just after I had taken blood from a 10-year-old who is seeing a specialist at our hospital for rapidly progressing blindness. They’re checking for tumour markers — the think he might have a brain tumour. Between that and reading this, I was incredibly reminded to make the most of life. The kindness and goodness in humanity, and humanity in itself, is a beautiful, beautiful thing. We’re fallible, we’re compassionate, we live, we love. And while we will eventually come to pass, we need to always make sure that we’re making the world a better place, not only for ourselves, but for those who will walk the earth with us and after us as well.
Sending love and hugs. xo
Chelsie, thank you so much for saying all of that! What strikes me the most is that is exactly who my grandpa was. He truly loved life, and his entire purpose was caring about other people.
I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather. To read about this random act of kindness, especially during a time of sadness, it really touches you even more. It’s a nice reminder that there are still truly good people in this world.
Thank you. Yes, it really made my heart lift through this experience. My poor sister told the story so many times this weekend, and cried every time!
I’m so so sorry to hear about your grandfather! I lost my grandma on Christmas eve, so I know it’s a really rough time
That story gave me chills though, there are still good people out there!
Thanks, Laurie. Yeah, it was an amazing thing to happen at that particular time. Things like that make me believe in divine intervention or something of that nature!
So sorry to hear about your grandpa
At least you got to spend some final moments with him. And a wonderful story of paying it forward!
Thanks, Meghan. The story was a slight silver lining
So sorry to hear about your grandfather =(
Random acts of kindness, though, remind us of all the good that is in the world. Sometimes it happens at just the right moment!
The timing was so spot on. I keep thinking how those people will never know how many people they actually touched.
Sorry to hear that -thinking of you and your family! I’m thankful they decided to pay it forward — thanks for sharing. You never know who you are impacting.
Thanks, Corrie. You really don’t know what a small gesture may mean to someone, and it’s incredibly powerful to think about.
Oh Natalie, I am SO sorry to hear about your grandpa. What a lovely photo you included of him. It is so difficult to lose a grandparent and I love how you phrased it: “celebrating his life” at his funeral. My thoughts are with you and your family!
Thank you so much, Jorie. It was a hard day, but it truly was a celebration. A good chunk of the service was leaving the floor open for people to tell stories about him, and it was so comforting to hear just how much he meant to everyone.
Natalie, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather. Losing a family member is always difficulty, but I’m glad that you have some good memories of him.
Also, thank you for sharing the story about Caite and Justin. It really makes you realize what small good deeds can mean
Thanks, Alex. When Caite and I finally met up at Mom’s that night, and she told me the story, I was truly humbled and blown away. I think I told her prety immediately that I was going to share the story on the blog because I knew all of you would love to hear it.
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