January has brought many changes to our lives. The biggest change is the passing of my Grandpa on Tuesday night. He was hospitalized Saturday evening for a hemorrhagic stroke that eventually took his life. To say that he will be missed is an understatement. My Grandpa was loved by everyone he knew.
In dealing with his passing, we have all been thinking about his wonderful life. He was blessed to have a wonderful wife for 61 years, three children (all there with him the day he died), seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Not only did he "have" all of these people, but we all loved him greatly. He was the cornerstone to our family and we all loved and respected him.
This past year has been a great one for my Grandparents. It all began Christmas of 2006, when we all got together to celebrate their 60th anniversary and my Grandpa's 85th birthday (both which occur on Christmas Day). We had a small celebration for them in the basement of my Uncle David and Aunt Jeanette's home and gave them a trip to Norway as a gift. My Grandpa is from Norway and he's written a genealogy book about his family. His three children and their spouses took my grandparents to Norway so my Grandpa could learn more about his roots. It was a trip of a lifetime and everyone had a great time. You can read about it in my May blogs. In June, my grandparents traveled (with my mom) down to Santa Barbara to be a part of my second cousin Allison's wedding. In July, my mom and I tackled a 10 day trip out to California and Oregon so that my family could become better acquainted with our kids. Plus, I wanted to get Lauren out to see everyone while she was in that cute baby stage. We spent about three days at my grandparent's house and I am so glad that we made that trip. You can read about our trip in my July blogs. I know that my grandparents have been very busy with my younger cousins (Allison, Jenna, and Tyler) and that they really enjoy watching Soccer games and hanging out at the Pepper house. In December, my cousin Nicole graduated from the University of Arizona and Grandpa and Grandma were there to support her (they've made it to all of our graduations, - San Luis Obispo (CA),Lexington, Boston, and Tuscon. I know they have had many more travels than the ones that I mention.... they travel so much it's hard to keep up with where they are. My point being.... My Grandpa had a very FULL life right up until the day of his stroke.
the days that we were waiting to see the outcome of his stroke, our family kept thinking about his wonderful life here on Earth. I guess when you think about death as a child it can be very scary, but as I grow up it becomes more of an "exciting" thing... not the leaving, but the going. My Grandpa is in Heaven with his Maker - and that is just an awesome thing. Yeah, we're all going to miss him around here, but sooner or later we'll all join him for eternity and that will just be an awesome day. 
In dealing with his passing, we have all been thinking about his wonderful life. He was blessed to have a wonderful wife for 61 years, three children (all there with him the day he died), seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Not only did he "have" all of these people, but we all loved him greatly. He was the cornerstone to our family and we all loved and respected him.This past year has been a great one for my Grandparents. It all began Christmas of 2006, when we all got together to celebrate their 60th anniversary and my Grandpa's 85th birthday (both which occur on Christmas Day). We had a small celebration for them in the basement of my Uncle David and Aunt Jeanette's home and gave them a trip to Norway as a gift. My Grandpa is from Norway and he's written a genealogy book about his family. His three children and their spouses took my grandparents to Norway so my Grandpa could learn more about his roots. It was a trip of a lifetime and everyone had a great time. You can read about it in my May blogs. In June, my grandparents traveled (with my mom) down to Santa Barbara to be a part of my second cousin Allison's wedding. In July, my mom and I tackled a 10 day trip out to California and Oregon so that my family could become better acquainted with our kids. Plus, I wanted to get Lauren out to see everyone while she was in that cute baby stage. We spent about three days at my grandparent's house and I am so glad that we made that trip. You can read about our trip in my July blogs. I know that my grandparents have been very busy with my younger cousins (Allison, Jenna, and Tyler) and that they really enjoy watching Soccer games and hanging out at the Pepper house. In December, my cousin Nicole graduated from the University of Arizona and Grandpa and Grandma were there to support her (they've made it to all of our graduations, - San Luis Obispo (CA),Lexington, Boston, and Tuscon. I know they have had many more travels than the ones that I mention.... they travel so much it's hard to keep up with where they are. My point being.... My Grandpa had a very FULL life right up until the day of his stroke.the days that we were waiting to see the outcome of his stroke, our family kept thinking about his wonderful life here on Earth. I guess when you think about death as a child it can be very scary, but as I grow up it becomes more of an "exciting" thing... not the leaving, but the going. My Grandpa is in Heaven with his Maker - and that is just an awesome thing. Yeah, we're all going to miss him around here, but sooner or later we'll all join him for eternity and that will just be an awesome day. 
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