That's the great thing about a new year, it can be a new slate, a new start, a new outlook on life.
At the end of 2012 my Grandpa Arnall died. He just never fully recovered from the head on collision he was in last year. He would have been 90 in March.
I'm know I learned many life lessons from him but two really stand out.
1. That laughter, silliness, and a sense of humor are essential to living a happy life.
2. Always surround yourself with family.
The last time we visited Grandpa was the Monday before he died. He was weakening due to some heart issues and several cardiac "episodes". He was asleep in the recliner when we got there but quickly woke up when he heard us all talking. His face literally lit up when he saw us all there.
Grandpa loved playing with Drew and Jackson and they always loved visiting Grandpa because he was so goofy and playful. I was expecting this visit to be different due to his declining health. It wasn't at all.
At some point Jackson and Grandpa started playing a game where Jackson would sneak past Grandpa's chair and Grandpa would jump out at him. Grandpa was so wrapped up in playing that Stacey and I had to keep him from jumping out and falling on the floor. Seriously. We had to hold out our arms to create a wall that he couldn't slip past. He didn't care. In that moment he didn't care a bit about his health or the pain he was in or hurting himself. That moment summed up his life. He only cared about making someone laugh and being with his family.
So, in memory of my Grandpa, that's what I'm going to devote 2013 to. Laughing, making the ones that I love happy, and family. If I focus on that, it could be the best year yet.
5 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a gift he gave you though.
I'm so sorry for your loss Allison and family. He sounds like a great grandpa who loved life and shared it with others. LOVE LOVE these sweet pictures. You should write this story down with these photos for the boys to have one day.
Wishing you a much happier year in 2013 and filled with lots of laughs, hugs and FAMILY TIME!!
Thanks for sharing this with us, made me smile thinking of you two holding him back from falling. I can picture it. So glad you got this last memory of all of you together. HUGS AND LOVE!!
Those are wonderful lessons to have learned from him and his life. I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you have a year of love and laughter with your family.
That was so your grandpa and what made him such a special person to be around. He loved his family so dearly and I have such fond memories of him. Thanks for sharing. Love you cousin.
I couldn't agree more with this post, and everything you said about Grandpa Arnall. Just perfect. And those pictures will forever be some of my favorites.
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