I’ve lost two of my best friends last month, but I know I will see them again. It’s been two months without my Nana, and one month without my PapPap.
The last thing I said to PapPap on New Year’s Eve was “I love you.” And the last thing he ever said, on this earth, was “I love YOU,” looking right at me and lowering his chin slightly toward his chest for added assurance. Without any stuttering or confusion, surrounded by medics who were working on getting him to the ambulance parked in our driveway, he assured me he loved and cared about me.
I told him everything would be ok. Some people would look back on that and call it a lie, because everything didn’t turn out “ok” for me, because I lost my grandfather that night. But I think the exact opposite. My grandfather met the Lord that night. I’d say PapPap celebrated the new year in a way no one on this earth will ever understand. So actually, things were better than ok.
He wasn’t in Times Square to watch the ball drop, but he did get to meet his savior. He didn’t kiss his sweat heart at midnight, but he did hug his Lord.
Yes. My Nana and PapPap both met Christ within a month of each other. Lots of tears have been shed over these last two months, and I know the tears aren’t over. I think about them every day and start to miss them. But when I imagine what Nana and PapPap are doing right at this moment, I overflow with joy.
My PapPap loved to garden. But the past few years, he’d gotten older, and wasn’t able to do his hobby as much. But I’m sure he’s already planted a garden in heaven, I can’t imagine how joyful he must be.
I didn’t spend my new year’s eve celebrating 2016 coming to a close. But I did spend the night celebrating the fact that my PapPap finally had the opportunity to meet his savior he always talked so highly about. And I’m positive he’s already had many discussions with him.
No, I’m not sad. Sure, I miss my Nana and PapPap more than words will ever explain. But they’re in a pain-free, sinless, perfect place. And I can’t thank God enough for the peace he has given me through this all. And the assurance that I WILL see my Nana and PapPap again. And when I do, I will never have to lose them again.
Please don’t take your grandparents for granted. They’re more than old people. They won’t be there forever. Trust me, I never imagined I would loose my Nana and PapPap when I was only 14, I thought I would have ages with them still, but I didn’t.
I did have 14 amazing years with them. And I’m so glad I listened to their stories and saw them as more than old people. And I’m so glad I was able to not only call them my grandparents but also my friends.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces” Isaiah 25:8
♥Hayley
P.s. You can not believe how much I dreaded posting this, but now that I have, I feel like I can move on. And start blogging again.
P.p.s Maybe some day I’ll write in more detail about my Nana and PapPap. But not for awhile.
I’m so sorry about your grandparents, Hayley. They seem like such wonderful people and I bet you can’t wait to see them again. ♥ And Isaiah 25:8 is such a wonderful verse 🙂
-Clara ❤
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Thank you, Clara!
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Wonderful post, Hayley. I am so, so sorry about your grandparents, but I’m so glad that they were Christians and that God has helped you through this. ♥
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Thank You, Allison!
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Oh, Hayley…. I am so very sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers ❤
~Jaclynn~
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Thank you, Jaclyn!
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Hayley,
What a beautiful tribute to your grandparents & their love for you & you for them!
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I’m sorry Hayley! I didn’t know your grandparents very well but I know they must have been awesome from all you told me about them. This is a great reminder not to take those we love for granted.
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Aw, thanks Bekah!!
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I’m so sorry. We were in a similar situation last month, my cousin’s grandmother (who we also considered to be ours) passed, so I understand how you feel. It’s good that you’re taking it so well– I’ll be praying for you and your family all the same.
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Thank you for the prayer, Josie! ❤️ And I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
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I’m so sorry that you lost your grandparents, Hayley. They sound amazing! What a wonderful reminder not to take our loved ones for granted. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Sarah! ❤️
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I am so, so, so, sorry, Hayley! I lost my grandpa a few years ago and my grandma last May. It was such a hard time, and I will be praying for you.
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Thank you, Chloe ❤️. I’m sorry for your loss, even though it’s been a little while, I’m sure it’s still hard.
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I loved reading this, Hayley! Thank you for sharing it, and I have been praying for your family.
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Thank you for the prayer, Mrs. Wargo! ❤️
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I’m so sorry for you loss, Hayley. But it is wonderful to know that they are in a better place now. I pray that you will be comforted in this time. ❤
~Christian Homeschooler
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thank you ❤️
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Oh Hayley….I’m so sorry. I know this must be such a difficult time for you and your family, but I rejoice with you that they are in that perfect place. Keep staying strong in the Lord, and know that you have several sisters-in-Christ who are lifting you and your family up in prayer. Love ya, girl ❤
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You can not imagine how much this meant to me, Lainey! Thank you! ❤️
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💙💙💙
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[…] 5- And, finally, I’m thankful that major family events become a lesson–a writing lesson and a life lesson–as my daughter explains on her blog this week. […]
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Oh, Hayley, I’m so sorry for you. This was a beautiful post. 🙂
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Thanks!
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Hi, Hayley. I’m sorry about your grandparents. I will be praying for you. I’m thankful for the time you did have with them.
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Thanks Maddi, I appreciate the prayer and encouragement ❤️.
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You’re welcome, Hayley.
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❤ ❤ Beautiful post. I'm sorry for your loss. I loved reading your outlook on it.
Psalm 56:8 "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?"
Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
~Gracie
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Thanks for the encouragement, Gracie! It means a lot. ❤️
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Beautiful post, Hayley. ❤ I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy that your grandparents were Christians and that God's love will surround and comfort you. ❤
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Thank you, Grace! ❤️
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[…] had preached about praying–from I John 5:13-15. So prayer was fresh in my mind. And since the loss of my grandparents, every word in that verse resonates with me deeper than ever before. God did help me through hard […]
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That must have been hard for you Hayley, but I share the joy with you of knowing they they got to meet their creator and that one day you shall be reunited in a world free of all pain and suffering. May God bless you,
Love in Christ,
~Elise
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Thank you for the encouragement, Elise! It means a lot to me ❤️
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[…] This life is just a blink @ Flourishing by Restful Falls […]
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