Grandpa

My Grandpa Elison passed away last night after a short fight with leukemia followed with other complications.
I never want to forget how much my grandfather loved his family. And he especially had a soft spot for his great-grandkids. I took Taylee, Brynlee, and Paxton over to see their great-grandpa last Wednesday after we found out that he had leukemia. He was home and he was tired, but he still mustered up the energy to do his "Donald Duck" voice to make my girls laugh and giggle. They have always loved hearing him do this and I will always have the sweetest memories of their smiling joyous faces as they waited for Grandpa's "quacking."
On Saturday morning I went by myself to see my grandpa. He was so tired but he still gave me a hug as he said his "How's my gal?". It was so wonderful to be able to spend that time with him. To see him smile. To hear him laugh.
But Taylee had been asking to go see Grandpa. I mentioned that I might bring her back by if he was up for it and of course his answer was yes.
And I almost didn't take her out there. It had been a long week. Sean was finally home for a while and I wanted to get home to see him. I also knew that my grandparents were very tired and had a lot of company throughout the day. I thought it might be better if I brought her back another day.
As I was packing up my kids stuff around 3 at my parents house my mom got home and told me that Grandpa was waiting to see Taylee. Knowing that despite being tired he was waiting for us, I drove Taylee out to my grandparents house.
I will forever be grateful that I did. Taylee is one of the sweetest children that I know. She went straight up to her great-grandfather and gave him one of her hugs. She wasn't frightened by the oxygen tube or by how tired he looked. She just knew that he was her grandfather and she was so excited to see him. And when we left he even made the effort to sit all the way up so that he could give her a full hug.
He loved his family and would do anything for us.
I am very grateful for the gospel. It is the knowledge of the sweetest reunion that is happening as we mourn that is giving me peace. It is knowing that there is a plan in place that will get us through these trials.
I love what my cousin Megan said as some of the grandchildren gathered in Blackfoot and I hope that she doesn't mind me quoting her. "Grandpa wouldn't have wanted to go out from leukemia. He needed to go out with two black eyes and a big bruise on his forhead. That's more Grandpa's style." This thought make me laugh because it is 100% true. He did so much work with his hands and he always had new bruises, cuts, blackened fingernails, etc.
Thank-you Grandpa, for the example you set for us. To never let life get you down. Its better to laugh than to cry. And to always put family first. I love you Grandpa!