Grandpa

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

 

Sunday night, as we stood around his bed holding hands, the hospital machines blinked and beeped. Even by his own admission, my Grandpa has never been a singer, but he has always loved to sing. With heart, lung and kidney issues, his body showed its weaknesses. As he was unable to sing, we sang for him.

 

With this eyes closed, his compulsive shifting and jerking, attempts to adjust his uncomfortable position, stilled. We kept singing, all of his favorite hymns, and then took turns praying aloud for him. He labored to contribute at the end, "Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord." We then said goodnight and left his room with mixed emotions. 

 

While my Grandpa is still living, he has been slowing down greatly. During the three days we spent with him, he showed signs of confusion and began refusing to eat. He talked very little and was in great pain. 

 

Thankfully my Grandpa is saved. He loves the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind, and he loves his neighbor as himself. He has loved and prayed daily for each of his three children, their spouses and his five grandchildren. He has served the Lord as a pastor, missionary, mentor, father, grandfather and other means. He has loved those around him in practical ways. (He's always been the guy that knows his neighbors and sends over his garden goods often. And offers prayer and God's love without being pushy.) He has been a servant of all.

 

The fact that Grandpa has been looking forward to God's call has made this time easier. My Grandpa has preached with passion of the second coming of our Lord and has focused his life around the immanent return of Christ. Although a relatively healthy until just about a week ago, he had been preparing for this time. In the more recent months he has passed on to family members important relics of his life in anticipation of his death. To my sister he gave a toy he had played with as a toddler. To me he gave his first Bible, the one with only one verse marked. To my cousin Jamie, he gave his ordination certificate. To my cousins Ian and Sam, items unknown to me.

 

When I left him on Tuesday, I gave him a hug, which he returned with a kiss on my head.

"Iloveyou," toothlessly he said with obvious difficulty. 

"I love you too. It's been good to see you Grandpa! I've got to go, but I'll see you later. Make a good recovery, alright? Bye."

As I left, I felt at peace. I thought I might burst out crying, but as I walked out of that room, I was okay. Certainly not a sunshine and daisies kind of peace, but I knew that if he died before I saw him again in this life, it was ok. I would see him again, when Christ returns.

 

Last night my aunt decided to put him in a Hospice House. How much longer we have my Grandpa, I don't know. I'll be going up to visit him again this weekend. 

 

At this time I'm really praying for my dad. He is being so strong for his mom, sister and the rest of us. It cannot be easy for him.