This morning my grandfather passed away into glory to meet his Savior.
This past June all of us kids that are still living at home were able to take a trip with my parents to go visit some of our relatives on the eastern side of the US. We made a point to see my grandpa and grandma while we were there. Grandpa was doing pretty well and we all really enjoyed cracking up at his still hilarious "Grandpa" jokes.
Some of the things he said and did were so funny:
- "Kamatanah!" *slaps forehead*
- "He's a baaaad boy."
- *makes chair move up... then makes chair move down*
This morning, hearing he died, made me think more on his life and my memories of him. My sister reminded me (all of us in an e-mail) of how much he loved the song "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder."
Here are the lyrics
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
By James Black
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
I remember the time when he was visiting and we were all sitting around having a hymn sing and he told us how much he loved that song. The last verse in particular describes my Grandpa well. He labored for his Master, raising his children to truly love God and furthering the kingdom of God. He also spoke of God with reverence, sharing His love with almost everyone that he met. Now, his work is done on earth and he has gone into glory. I am so happy when I think of how he is now safe from pain and cares with his Lord.
Leaving behind Grandma Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Grandpa Parke has gone forward to meet his heavenly Father, to spend eternity praising God.
I am sorry for those of us that Grandpa leaves behind. For the great-grandchildren that won't remember his smiles or his jokes or his sweet words of encouragement. But I am excited. Excited that my Grandpa Parke is finally getting to meet his Lord and Savior
Grandpa in uniform
Grandpa visiting in '92 I think
This was in '95 or '96
Our trip out to PA in 2010
Our trip this past June
Me with Grandpa and Grandma
