My Grandfather
Dec. 21st, 2005 09:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kajelMy Grandfather passed away on Monday morning. The following is going to be read by my sisters at his funeral tomorrow from something that was found with his will. I am not able to attend that funeral, but I will be thinking of him and my family.
Good Morning,
I think we all know that Grandpa was not always the easiest man to get along with and being a true German, raised by a mother that was extremely hard on him, he had difficulty expressing his feelings. Though, he was always wonderful to his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, expressing his love and pride for his wife, our grandmother, or for his two children, Aunt Linda and Dad wasn’t easy for him.
When we were going through his personal papers we found an Ann Landers article that he cut out and saved. We know he saved it for a reason and we feel very blessed to have found it. Grandpa may not have been able to express his love or apologize for some of his failures himself, but this article says everything that he wanted to say. We wanted Grandma, Aunt Linda, Dad and all of you to hear what he felt in his heart, but wasn’t able to express.
Loved ones: It is my sincere hope that it will be many years before you read this letter, but none of us knows how much time God has allotted us. Whatever, length that may be, I would like to have one more chat with you.
It is to my faithful, wonderful wife that I address this paragraph. Thank you, sweetheart, for the many years of happiness you have given me. I deeply appreciated your beauty, both inside and out. You have been the perfect wife who has stood by my side through these many years, which have passed too quickly. You have been my comforter in trying times. I just wish that I could have been a greater help to you and fulfilled your every wish in life. I am thankful for what I could provide for you, but you, sweetheart, deserved much more. Thank you for your sweet smiles, loving understanding, kindness, tender care, faithful love, great sense of humor, comforting words and forgiveness. You have been the perfect companion in my journey through life.
To my children I ask forgiveness. Though your mother and I tried to do what we felt was best, it is I who often failed, sometimes miserably. As hard as I tried (admittedly, not hard enough at times), many of my faults stayed with me through the years. Perhaps my discipline was too harsh. My intention was only for your welfare. For my other shortcomings, some of which only you were aware, please forgive me. Each of you children brought your mother and me many joys, moments of pride and happiness. This was especially true in your younger years. While your father was admittedly not the greatest in the world, your mother certainly is an extraordinary woman. Please let her know how much she is appreciated. Show her your love and encourage your children to do so also.
In death, there is little of value to leave behind, except kind words and deeds. This phrase sums it up: One kind word said to the living is worth more than a million tears shed over the grave. I ask that you strengthen your faith and rest assured that we shall all come together again in eternity. My love to you all.
We, his grandchildren, loved Grandpa dearly and knew that he loved us. We know that Grandpa wanted you Grandma, Aunt Linda and Dad to know how much he loved you and how proud he was of you. We hope that knowing he cut out and saved this article helps you understand how much he truly cared for each of you. We know that Grandpa, with all of his heart wished he could have said these words to you directly. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to, but we also know that he would be happy that his grandchildren were able to stand before you today and express his feelings to each of you for him!!
Good Morning,
I think we all know that Grandpa was not always the easiest man to get along with and being a true German, raised by a mother that was extremely hard on him, he had difficulty expressing his feelings. Though, he was always wonderful to his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, expressing his love and pride for his wife, our grandmother, or for his two children, Aunt Linda and Dad wasn’t easy for him.
When we were going through his personal papers we found an Ann Landers article that he cut out and saved. We know he saved it for a reason and we feel very blessed to have found it. Grandpa may not have been able to express his love or apologize for some of his failures himself, but this article says everything that he wanted to say. We wanted Grandma, Aunt Linda, Dad and all of you to hear what he felt in his heart, but wasn’t able to express.
Loved ones: It is my sincere hope that it will be many years before you read this letter, but none of us knows how much time God has allotted us. Whatever, length that may be, I would like to have one more chat with you.
It is to my faithful, wonderful wife that I address this paragraph. Thank you, sweetheart, for the many years of happiness you have given me. I deeply appreciated your beauty, both inside and out. You have been the perfect wife who has stood by my side through these many years, which have passed too quickly. You have been my comforter in trying times. I just wish that I could have been a greater help to you and fulfilled your every wish in life. I am thankful for what I could provide for you, but you, sweetheart, deserved much more. Thank you for your sweet smiles, loving understanding, kindness, tender care, faithful love, great sense of humor, comforting words and forgiveness. You have been the perfect companion in my journey through life.
To my children I ask forgiveness. Though your mother and I tried to do what we felt was best, it is I who often failed, sometimes miserably. As hard as I tried (admittedly, not hard enough at times), many of my faults stayed with me through the years. Perhaps my discipline was too harsh. My intention was only for your welfare. For my other shortcomings, some of which only you were aware, please forgive me. Each of you children brought your mother and me many joys, moments of pride and happiness. This was especially true in your younger years. While your father was admittedly not the greatest in the world, your mother certainly is an extraordinary woman. Please let her know how much she is appreciated. Show her your love and encourage your children to do so also.
In death, there is little of value to leave behind, except kind words and deeds. This phrase sums it up: One kind word said to the living is worth more than a million tears shed over the grave. I ask that you strengthen your faith and rest assured that we shall all come together again in eternity. My love to you all.
We, his grandchildren, loved Grandpa dearly and knew that he loved us. We know that Grandpa wanted you Grandma, Aunt Linda and Dad to know how much he loved you and how proud he was of you. We hope that knowing he cut out and saved this article helps you understand how much he truly cared for each of you. We know that Grandpa, with all of his heart wished he could have said these words to you directly. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to, but we also know that he would be happy that his grandchildren were able to stand before you today and express his feelings to each of you for him!!
