I wasn't lucky enough to call him Grandpa my whole life, but as soon as I met him I loved him and he was my Grandpa for life. He was Grandpa to me before I even married into the family, 10 summers ago.
His only son, my father-in-law, Lee, said he was a lover not a warrior. An Aphrodite of sorts. It's true. Grandpa served faithfully in World War 2, but he was a clerk at a headquarter, not a combat soldier. And the highlight of those war days was the story of returning home to marry the love of his life, Betty Grace!
The Christmas after our wedding in 2002, Grandpa and Grandma gave everyone a green, hard-back, NIV, One Year Bible. I finally read through the Bible in 2009 and now I'm on a 2-year track through it again. They wrote a sweet message on the inside cover and ended it like this,
We pray God will bless your home as you grow together as a family of your own. A family growing after God's own heart and the WORD of God, whatever and wherever God leads you.
Grandma and Grandpa Albaugh
Psalm 119:9-16
"... I treasure Your WORD in my heart..."
On August 26, 2011, I sat by Grandpa's bedside and read him those treasured WORDS. Lee had gone home to shower and have dinner with Cheryl. He had kept a constant vigil by his dad's side the last few days. Aunt Vanessa, after watering Grandma's Garden, and starting a load of Grandpa's laundry, went to dinner with her family and promised to return soon. I sat down in the chair next to Grandpa with my Bible, a journal, and my phone (I didn't know all the verses of hymns I wanted to sing with him).
He had spent the whole day before, saying goodbye to his grand children, great grand children and a few life-long friends. And of course, he had his last bowl of ice cream! He literally fought for every breath. Yet he uttered many, "I love you's" and last encouraging words. A smile. An eye brow raise. A hand squeeze. He truly was a lover!
So, from 5:30 till 7 p.m. Friday night, I sang, I read, and I prayed. We delighted in the WORD of God! It was like sharing a very familiar story. God's WORD was more powerful that evening than I've ever experienced! Every WORD came alive and it brought unexplainable comfort! It was really hard to listen to his lungs struggle to take each breath as they were filling with fluid. But filling the air with word and song, ushered in peace as the Presence of the Lord was in that place!
And then, one by one, others arrived. First Vanessa who folded the clean laundry as I sang. Then Lee and Uncle Rich, and finally Uncle Dave and Cheryl. We rearranged Grandpa in his bed but he was more comfortable back on his right side. We wiped his head, face, chest and arms with a cool, wet cloth. Got him tucked in for the night.
Instead of turning on one of his favorite Gaither DVD's, we agreed to sing him his last songs, this side of heaven! "I'll Fly Away," "I've Got a Mansion," and Lee even sang him a song about "Rollin'" that he had sung on the ships returning from the war. Then Lee pulled out the belt he had made for Grandpa and retold his life story from the pictures he etched into the leather strap.
And finally, we said goodnight. We each hugged him, and kissed him and said one last, "I love you" for everyone. Vanessa whispered to her Daddy that it was OK to go now. Lee turned off the light and closed the door. About an hour later, he met his Master at the Throne of Grace!!!
Today, I have been struck by this thought: Grandpa was just here with the kids and I on Tuesday, enjoying a ham and cheese sandwich, sliced apples, harvest cheddar Sun Chips, and a cup of vanilla/chocolate swirl ice cream! And now, he is touching the robe of the Holy of holies! I'm in awe!!!
Psalm 17:15
As for me,
I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied,
beholding Your likeness!
The Albaugh Men, April 2010
See you on Heaven's shore, Grandpa!
