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
