What a wonderful man....

...who will be missed greatly but forever remembered!

Date of Birth:  12/12/23
Date of Death:  8/25/12

But we all know, this is not "where he belonged".  God had better plans for him in the world to come....

These are just a "few" pictures from the last couple years.  I had a hard time figuring out how to get to the others that Neil has stored away in a safe place in another drive on the computer, but no big deal - the memories we had with him are endless!!  Not only was he so involved in my life growing up, but he was just as important to my family and I even when he moved to the nursing home.

This past week, my grandma switched to a different room, and it's going to be so hard to walk past their old room and remember all the conversations and hugs that we shared together in there.  We will have a great celebration this year on November 1st and 2nd in my family as we remember him and all the faithful departed, and then again on his birthday - 12/12/12.  And, our weekly trips to see Grandma will continue as long as I can make it over there.  I know once our little one arrives, I'll need a little break to recover, but will definitely pick back up on our visits.  One thing Grandpa passed on to us out of love for his wife, is that we need to continue to take care of Grandma.  Absolutely!!  :)

What a wonderful life he led though - one of service, humility, generosity, great example, and faith. As a farmer, Grandpa planted many seeds and was able to watch them grow.  I am most thankful for the seeds of faith he has planted that have been passed down to me to help steer and guide my life. 

"There is an appointed time for everything and 

a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born, and a time to die; 

a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.

A time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to tear down, and a time to build.  

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;  

a time to embrace, and a time to far from embraces.

A  time to seek, and a time to lose; 

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to red, and a time to sew; 

a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time of war, and a time of peace."

-Ecclesiastes 3:  1-8       (which was the first reading at his funeral Mass)

Till we meet again!!  

Love you grandpa!!!