OPA

When I found out my grandfather (Opa) had passed away I was riding in the car listening to church music somewhere between Roosevelt and Heber Utah. The song we were listening to was called “faithful til the end.” It was a sweet and tender moment to think of my grandfather and how he had been faithful til the end.

He spent the last year and half of his life paralyzed on his left side as a result of a stroke, but managed to maintain a wonderful attitude. After putting up a good fight he had finally been allowed to go back to his first home with his Father in Heaven, reunited with his family, including his twin brother. It brought tears to my eyes to think of that sweet reunion, I am happy that he is free from all the pain and suffering he had endured for so long. I know that there is life after death and families are eternal. I will see him again.

One of my favorite memories of Opa is sitting next to him in church, I was young and we were singing “there is sunshine in my soul today” I remember him belting out those words as if the sunshine he felt in his own soul was coming straight through his voice. Every time I hear that song I think of him and smile.  He lived his life as if there truly was sunshine in his soul, through his, humor, friendship, service, and love, he spread that sunshine to all he came in contact with.

He has added much sunshine to my life, for that I will always be grateful. I love you Opa.