I don’t know why, but I felt compelled to post this today. Possibly because of what I shared in a comment yesterday about the picture in my sidebar I’ve entitled, Wheel of Fortune. My grandpa died just 2 weeks before he turned eighty-nine in October 2006. His birthday preceded mine by only six days, so when I was a child we often celebrated them together. Oddly, my daughter was born six days before my dad’s birthday, just as I was born six days before my maternal grandfather’s birthday. It’s kind of a peculiar fact, but nevertheless, I find it interesting and for whatever reason, I consider it special.
My grandpa’s death had a huge impact on me, and on the day he would have turned eighty-nine, just two weeks following his funeral, I felt this urge to grab a pen and paper. I didn’t really think–I just wrote what came to me and this is what resulted. I had never written poetry, so it falls quite short of marvelous…but I can assure it was heartfelt.
“Happy Birthday In Heaven” If you had any faults you kept them all from me. Humor, love and modesty were all that I could see. I’m so sad to have lost you as all who knew you are. I know it’s only Heaven but it seems so very far. I doubt that you can hear us, those of us still here on Earth- but a happy birthday to you on the anniversary of your birth. This day is still a special one for it’s when your life began. You were a hero, husband, father and grandpa- one truly terrific man. You meant the world to your wife and kids and to your grandchildren–yes, all seven. and so it’s with a heavy heart I wish you a happy birthday in Heaven.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
That was good! You should copyright that poem for sure.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Thanks.
I later went off to write another one that my aunt just put in a poetry book she published, although neither are very good. But, then again, my aim wasn’t profundity. They were simply an expression.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Hi! A terrific tribute to your grandpa. I’m sure he can hear and feel the words and warmth of your love. Take Care!
March 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
From the pictures along the side of your blog, it looks like you’ve got a wonderful family! Best luck, and may your granddad rest in peace.
Best wishes,
March 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Didn’t this one make it into Aunt Sue’s book, too? I still think it’s a great poem and captures well the thoughts all of us grandchildren-yes, all seven (sorry, had to ;)).
March 4th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
No, Silly.
I only gave her one of mine for the book–didn’t you even read it? I thought not. Good thing she doesn’t read my blog.
And when the commenter above you said it looks like I have a wonderful family, he was referring to my children…not my cousins that don’t even read books written by members of their own bloodline!
Hey, recognize the picture from the farm? I just remembered that you were with me when I took that.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am
A very special post indeed. Amazing heartfelt words
March 30th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
That was really nice. Thanks for sharing it with me. Sometimes I think it is so sad that I have so much more of my life left in front of me that I will have to be without my grandmother. Sometimes I wish I had her dry humor to make me laugh or her wise council when I’m having problems. But I can almost think in my mind what she’d do or say. I hope I always have this clear a memory of her. You were obviously that close to your grand-dad too. Tis’ better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL