These past three days have been quite a blur. My Grandaddy was so special to me, I admired him in so many ways: his unfailing dignity, sharp sense of humor, how he loved my grandmother in such a special way, how he accepted Natalie and encouraged her always, and how my children sensed his love and ran to him.
When Carter took swimming lessons nearby, we would park at their house and Grandaddy would drive them down the street in his golf cart. One day when we arrived, he had placed a placard in the dash: "Carter's Limo". He loved playing with our kids, and they loved him.
When we sat down with Carter and Anna B on Sunday morning to tell them about Grandaddy, in a similar way of just a few weeks ago, we told them that Grandaddy had died and that he was now in Heaven with God, Jesus and Grandaddy Harding. We asked if he had any questions. Carter sat for a moment and then he said:
"I have an idea!"
"Great, pal, what is it?"
"How about we get an airplane and ride to Heaven to see them?"
I wrote a few words for the service yesterday:
Dear Grandaddy,
From all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, let us thank you now for all that you have been for us:
Thank you for playing Monopoly, Checkers and Grand Old Golf with us, and even letting us win. Thank you for taking us to see the Globetrotters and on many out-of-town trips, and for carrying us asleep home from the circus.
Most of all, thank you for reflecting God's image into our lives with your quiet dignity, unwavering respect for "the right thing to do", and your unconditional love for each and every one of us.
Until we in glory are reunited with you, we pray that you know how dearly we miss you and how always we love you.
