My precious granddad went to be with the Lord this past week,
March 23 to be exact. He was 98 years old, and what
an amazing man he was.
How he will be missed by so many.
I was able to go back east last Father's day to visit with him
and my mom and dad. This is the last time we were all together.
And
here is the link to the last visit my children had with him.
Sadly, we were planning on a family trip east to see him the end of this month,
but the Lord had other plans. It was time for Pop to meet his Savior.
I had the privilege of traveling to be with my dear family
for his funeral, and to celebrate and remember Pop's life.
He grew up in a little town in North Carolina called Salisbury....
This is the home he grew up in, which now belongs to his niece.
It is located just a block away from the home he lived in
with his wife, whom I called
Mama Jo. She grew up a block away
in the opposite direction. Such is life in a small town.
They were married for 72 years, and lived in this beautiful
little home below, their whole life. Pop lived here until a week before he
died when he had to be admitted to the hospital.
I know that life is so much more than things, but I wanted to share with
you bits of my grandparent's beautiful home. For me, their home is filled
with sweet memories of them, what they believed in, what they were
passionate about, and what they loved.
My Pop was a master craftsman. He made almost
every wooden piece of furniture that you see in the pictures
below. Mama Jo would find pictures of antiques that she loved,
and he would copy them.
In fact, he fashioned a number of pieces in my home,
per my request. Our first bed is a replica of the antique bed
that was in our first little garage apartment. I remember drawing out
a picture for Pop, giving him dimensions, and he went to work.
I did the same thing for a quilt rack that I wanted that was in my
Aunt's home and also numerous picture frames.
Pop never sold his work, and he gave many pieces away as gifts.
The corner cupboard above and the side board, below in the dining room
are two of my favorites. And as if carpentry wasn't enough, he also painted
in his younger years. The painting in the first picture above was done
when he was about 15 and was one of his first. It is in my living room.
He also painted both the painting right above and the one
right below.
The story goes, that he painted the bouquet of flowers in his teen
years and sold it for about $20.00 to a family friend. Well, it hung in this family's home
most of Pop's life. A number of years before Mama Jo went to be with the Lord,
she heard that there was to be an estate sale at this particular home.
She proceeded to go, and re-buy Pop's picture for $100.00!!
I still can't get over that my grandparents were married in 1938,
for 72 years. They lived in this same home and attended the same church
their whole life. They were dearly loved and respected in this community.
The picture below on the left was my mom's room growing up.
I'm sure she had it decorated differently, but nonetheless, it's the
same bed and dresser my Pop made for her. The picture on the right
was taken at the bottom of the stairs in Pop's childhood home.
These were some pictures in his childhood home of his father and mother.
In fact, while back east and exploring Pop's work room, my mom and I
came across a whole box of letters and vintage postcards written to
Pop's mother. Talk about stepping into the past. It was so fun.
And finally, the less formal rooms in Pop's beautiful home.
I loved the wooden walls and the colonial decorating.
Many meals were made in this precious kitchen.
And we spent many, many family times in this room, watching
Lawrence Welk, baseball, or golf with Pop.
Pop's chair, and another of his paintings....
I found an old, old box and filled it with vintage tools from Pop's
work room to bring back for my boys. They are actually really looking forward
to going back to this home the end of the month and exploring themselves.
Drew's middle name if Julian, after Pop, and he corresponded with Pop
these last years by letter. I do believe going back will be good closure
for him as well as my other children. They have quite a Godly heritage.
Pop's church, First Presbyterian, was located within walking distance,
and for many years he would walk to Sunday school. In fact he
walked up until the end of his life. He was always pushing. Always
striving to stay independent and to keep his mind sharp by
reading and doing crossword puzzles. His men's Sunday school
class sang at his funeral. It was quite emotional.
I have no doubt that he leaves a hole in the heart of this church,
as in the life of his family. Pop was such an inspiration. He was a quiet man,
a man a few words, but he loved the Lord, and studied God's Word.
He walked the walk, and talked the talk. He had many dear friends.
This picture is dear because it's one of the few times in many, many years
that my childhood family of four has been together. (My brother and I have
added spouses and a number of children to our gatherings!)
It is also dear, because it was taken at one of my Pop's favorite meeting
places, College Barbecue, in Salisbury. He met up with his friends every Saturday
here, up until the end of his life. And in fact on this particular day, one of his best friends,
was eating here alone when we arrived.
We got to sit with him, remember Pop, and cry.
My dear Pop is home. And his Heavenly home is exceedingly more beautiful
than his earthly home. And he is worshiping His Savior face to face.
How that comforts me.
My prayer is that we who are left here and mourn his parting,
will long for our Heavenly home. May we number our days,
and live each day as if it is our last. May we believe the sure promises
of God's Holy Word, and serve those around us with Jesus' hands and feet.
And may we look with expectation to that
day when there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering.
When all will be made right.
I wanted to close with the lyrics of a Rich Mullin's song.
Rich Mullin's was one of our favorite musicians, and he is now
also with the Lord. But his songs and their message live on.
Today my dear pastor continued in his series of "The Pilgrim Life"
and preached on the "respectable sin" of love of material things.
(If you are interested in hearing it, click
here)
He quoted a bit of this song.
May we long for Heaven, keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of all things.
And may this be us:
If I Stand
by Rich Mullins
There's more that rises in the morning than the sun
And more that shines in the night than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here that keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the giver of all good things
Chorus:
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's when her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs that I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes for the allegiance
I owe only to the giver of all good things.
Chorus (2x)
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23
