Tuesday, January 18, 2011

i'm sad to report that my grandfather passed away yesterday morning after a long battle with leukemia and a recent struggle with dementia. i'm so thankful that we had a few days notice of his decline and that i made the decision to travel to chattanooga, tn this past weekend to spend time with him. i definitely will treasure these last few days with him, but even more, all the other great memories that the last 25 years of knowing him have brought.


papaw was probably one of the most godly examples God has yet to put in my life, and i definitely know that the Lord has used him to teach me so much. his death is bittersweet at this point because he was in so much pain recently and really not himself. it gives me so much peace and joy to know that he's in heaven dancing and singing along with the angels right now. he always loved to sing and whistle, and we've heard less and less of that over recent months. however, sunday morning we were playing some hymns by his bed in the hospice unit and the song "trust and obey" came on. although he was not verbalizing much of anything by that point, a few times throughout the song, he would make some noises that sounded like he was trying to sing along with the chorus. i know he could hear it, and that makes me smile that even so close to death, the joy of the Lord still stirred him to song.

today I'm praising the Lord for the hope He's given me! hope that assures that I will be with my papaw again!!

2 comments:

Lindsayb-mo said...

So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers your way.

Erin Owen said...

Lesli, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Grandfather. We pray you and your family find much comfort in the coming weeks. Praise the LORD you will see him again! Much love -- Erin