Two years ago today, I was in New Zealand grieving. I was suffering the loss of my husbands father. I cried so much that I developed the worst migraine in the history of migraines. Then my dad called me to tell me that my grandpa passed away. That was the moment that my eyes glazed over and my body went on auto pilot. Numb. Then not numb, then numb again. I couldn't be there for his funeral so, I asked my friend Michelle to do a huge favor for me. She didn't know my grandpa at all but she agreed to my favor, without hesitation. As I cried eight thousand miles away from where I longed to be, my friend cried as she read the following words in my place.
"My name is Michelle Laredo and I am standing in place for Sarah Eastwood who is currently out of the country. Sarah has asked me to read the following words since she could not be here today.
You might remember my grandpa Joe by his ornately covered hats or by the cherry hill scented smoke billowing out of his wooden pipe. You might also know him for the strands of rubber bands that he collected around town that somehow found their way around his wrist and up his forearm. What I remember most about my grandpa is a simple conversation, between me and Grandpa Joe, when I was twelve years old. I was having a bad day and I expressed to my grandpa that nothing in my life was going right. Grandpa Joe mentioned something about God and how HE is watching over us at all times. Being the sassy pre-teen I snapped back at my grandpa, questioning him, 'God who?? How do you know if HE even exists?!' Grandpa got so frustrated at me and told me that God did indeed exist; that HE was everywhere. I then snapped back again, ' Where's the proof? Show me then.' My grandpa didn't look defeated like I wished him to be at that moment. In my twelve year old mind- I wanted to win this argument. Instead my grandpa told me ,'Missy... I should spank your bottom!' He hesitated and then continued with words that ended up changing my life. Grandpa said, 'Everyday there is proof! Look around yourself. Everyday the sun rises and the sun sets. God puts color in the skies that surround us.' I stood there stunned as my grandpa walked over, gave me a hug and then walked out of the door.
It's no wonder that sixteen years Iater I still love looking up at cloud formations, I constantly make time to stare at the sun as it is setting, or that on days when I find myself looking down I am quickly reminded of faith. My grandpa taught me to see the proof that God shows us everyday and I simply look up. I love you Grandpa for having faith in God and I thank you for having the courage to share it with me."
Thank you, Michelle....aka Miss Lauriedoo. Really..... expressing this letter for me was so meaningful and if I could show you how much it meant to me, I would. We always pick up right where we left off and I look forward to traveling across the world with you again one day. Afterall, it is the only way I get you all to myself!! Let's knock elbows soon my friend. Love, Sarah
4 comments:
That is lovely Sarah. I hope Davide is doing okay...and you too. I can only imagine that this is a hard anniversary to deal with. Your letter is touching and sweet.
Love, April
I must agree that was and still is very sad. Peter, David's dad was truely a very, very nice and funny man words cannot explain my sadness. I remember many things about Peter but one I will share when visiting in New Zealand, when he took us touring we stopped at a restaurant,ate then Matthew went to the mens room during that time Peter had us all load into the car and went around the corner leaving Matthew behind. Peter laughed so hard because Matthew stepped out looking around thinking where in the heck did they all go. Then my father-in-law Joe. Wow, another incredibly nice man. Just days before he passed away when I got him to open his eyes so I could reminded him what he said to me at the church the day I married his son. How he wished to have a daughter named Ramona each time his daughters were born but his wife would say Ramona didn't go well with Eastwood. How he told me God answers prayers and on this special day God did answer his prayer and blessed him with the daughter named Ramona he longed for. Tears ran down the sides of his face, lifted his hand and blew me a kiss and whispered "I love you Sweetie". I too blew him a kiss and said "I love you Joe". He closed his eyes to never open again nor say another word. During the eulogy I too mentioned this because I wanted everybody who attended his burial to know just how special Joe and I were to each other. May god continue to watch over you forever more, Love...
wow, how beautiful.
i've had an emotional day, and this has helped me.
thank you.
I had just driven about 850 miles with my wife to see my best friends wife while he was deployed in Iraq for the 2nd time. Leaving, knowing that I may not see my grandpa Joe again. I went one last time and once again he asked me where my grandma Grace was and why the lord wouldn't take him. He then asked me to kill him, again. It was a lot to take in. But I told him what I felt and he knew long before he was dying, exactly how I felt. Going back to the long drive. I get to Killeen, TX, say hi to Nikki and say, "oh man, my dad just called." I listened to the message and it was what I thought. Joe died. So with that, I'll end it with, thank you grandpa for everything. You're welcome for letting you smoke cigarettes on your death bed. :0) I could've gotten in serious trouble. And as selfish as this may sound, thank you not dying on my birthday! I love and miss you! Daniel Ea$twood
P.s. Now your savior knows you're "mean and nasty"
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