Welcome home, Pawpaw
August 15th, 2007My grandpa died tonight. He was, to use a biblical description, old and full of days.
Far from being a sorrowful experience, his death is an occasion of joy for his family and friends. Pawpaw had for a long time been ready to go on home to heaven. Over the last few years, his health had deteriorated considerably. He lived in a nursing home. He couldn’t hear hardly at all, so it was difficult to talk to him. His eyesight was bad, so he couldn’t read (something he loved to do). You could tell by being around him that his life wasn’t very happy or very pleasant.
A few days ago, my mom told me that he didn’t have much time left. He was almost in a coma and his blood pressure had been dropping steadily. Early Wednesday morning, he simply passed from this life into the next, peacefully and painlessly, with four of his children and other family members gathered around him. For that, I am indeed grateful to God for the mercy He showed to Pawpaw.
I didn’t have any biological connections to the man, but he was still my Pawpaw nonetheless. My mom’s biological father was a sailor who died in World War II while her mother was pregnant with her. My mom was still a little girl when her mother married Pawpaw. He was the only dad my mom ever knew, and he was a good one — always treating her as if she were his very own.
Pawpaw was a farmer. A simple man, really — but one who had a robust faith in Jesus Christ and the saving power of God. A few years ago I was ordained as a deacon. I don’t remember much about the service, but the one thing I do remember — and always will — was the “laying on of hands” part, especially when it was Pawpaw’s turn to pray over me. I remember thinking how ridiculous it was for me to carry the same title of “deacon” as Pawpaw did. I’m not in his league of holiness and faithfulness, and probably never will be.
My relationship with Pawpaw hasn’t been the same in recent years as it used to be. I moved away and saw him infrequently. When I did, conversations were short and superficial. But I am glad that my children got to know him, at least a little bit. That is yet another kindness from God.
About 12:30 Wednesday morning, my mom and her brothers heard only silence in Pawpaw’s room at the nursing home as he breathed his last. Pawpaw, however, heard something drastically different — a hearty “Well done!” from the Savior he has served so faithfully.
Sorry for your loss, Tim.
Our Condolences to your Family and yourself. May your Pawpaw be at peace now.
Jim and Gina
A simple man, really — but one who had a robust faith in Jesus Christ and the saving power of God.
Now that’s a great tribute for any life. My prayers are with your family, Tim.
Tim, God’s grace and peace to you during this time.
Sorry to hear of your loss Tim. God has been truly good to you and your family.
…my mom and her brothers heard only silence in Pawpaw’s room at the nursing home as he breathed his last. Pawpaw, however, heard something drastically different — a hearty “Well done!” from the Savior he has served so faithfully.
It truly makes a difference in the lives of those still on this side of things when you know without a doubt that the person who died is a Christian. Tim, I really appreciated the part I italicised above. I hope you and your family, especially your mother, is handling this well.
j razz
Tim, I’m sorry that your Pawpaw is no longer with you. I know you are looking forward to seeing him again. It’s great to have that hope isn’t it?
May God’s countenance shine upon you all during this time of grief.
My condolences on your loss.
That after our deaths we may all hear those sweet words from the Lord’s mouth.
Thanks for sharing this tribute Tim. When faithful men and women finish their race well as your grandpa did it is a great challenge and encouragement to the rest of us.
Just finished putting your grandfather’s obituary on Page 5 for tomorrow, Tim. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Tim, thanks for telling us Pawpaw’s story of faithfulness in many things. It’s certainly a virtue worth pursuing.
My prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Thanks for the beautiful tribute to our grandpa. We are certainly blessed to have such a Godly heritage.
Tim, sympothy to you and your family. It sure is great when we have the assurance that our loved ones have joined the Father in heaven. It sounds like Papaw was a great influence on you and your family.
That was a beautiful discription of the life of our pawpaw. It is truly a blessing to have a godly example. His love for God and passion for sharing the gospel has challenged me in mightly ways. I’m so glad that he is no longer suffering in a nursing home, but rather walking and talking with all the saints that have gone before him (without a walker, wheel chair and a headphones) and with Christ himself. I will miss him greatly, but I know that we will be reunited one day.
Tim, my sympathies to you and your family. What a beautiful tribute to your Pawpaw and a life well-lived. I understand both your sorrow and your joy tonight as my 99 and a half year old grandmother was welcomed into Heaven around two a.m. this past Saturday morning. Like you, I rejoice that she heard our Savior say “Well done!” I like knowing that our grandparents are in His presence at this moment, even as their grandchildren remember them with love.
May God give your family comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Condolences to you and all your family, Tim. Rejoicing with you as well because of Christ.
Tim,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Brother Gene was highly respected in this area, and served faithfully for many years. His Godly heritage will live on in his family.
Tim,
Thank you for “putting pen to paper” your thoughts regarding my Uncle Gene. What a tribute! He was so special to so many, the void he left will only be filled when “We All Get to Heaven”.
Margalee