Together At Last

You know it is never good news when your phone rings early Saturday morning, and dad leaves a voicemail. Who does that anymore? The message on the phone... Heidi, it's dad, you need to give us a call. Instantly, I knew what happened. I guess our family has just been waiting for this call for quite some time. I hit redial, and mom picks up. All I say is, "he's gone, isn't he?" mom then replies, "yes, he went this morning."
My mom lost her dad, and I lost my grandpa. Now, the feelings of remorse, guilt, and yes, even joy fill my mind and heart. Remorse, in a time or mourning, guilt, for not getting pictures of my kids updated on his board, and joy, for the sure knowledge that he has been reunited with my grandma, who passed five years ago, and their son who passed away when he was eight.
So, why is that when someone dies, you feel like this? I guess because it is natural to do so, but also is helps the heart heal. It helps to cry and I mean let it all out, let the crocodile tears flow, it helps to let others cry with you, and to have someone feel your pain, and it helps to laugh, love and remember the cowboy of a grandpa giving tractor rides, and calling all of his twenty six grandkids "love bugs!!" A true man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is loved and will be missed!!!!!!