Today would have been my grandfather's 93rd birthday. He passed away one week short of it, though as he'd say, "Ninety-two year is nothing to sneeze at."
I can only hope that I can live long with relative good health. It was only the past few years that his health really went on the decline. It's one of the motivations to my working out as much as I do and being so committed to it.
At the visitation and funeral, he was surrounded by family and friends, which is how he'd have wanted it. Granddaddy held his relationship with God, his family and his country in the highest esteem and all were supremely important to him. And the visitation and service celebrated and remembered those.
In some ways, I was reminded of how blessed I am. Not just those family and friends who made the journey to Smyrna for his funeral and visitation last weekend, but all of those friends and family on-line who sent a note, commented or just called to see how I was. The offers of listening ears and shoulders to cry on were appreciated more than you can ever know. I may not have taken all of you up on it, but please know it was greatly appreciated. And some of them came at just the right time, when I needed them most. I only hope that I can be the kind of friend to all those who showed friendship to me in the times you need it.
I have admit the funeral service hit me hard. And I kind of stayed in a funk most of rest of Saturday and Sunday. I was a bit emotional and even cried a bit when the Titans won. Don't get me wrong--I was eccstatic to see it but I don't think it's the only reason I cried. I mean, sure I wept openly when UT beat Arkansas in '98 but that was the Vols....and it cemented our chance to play for a national championship. I still get a bit misty thinking about it...
But, I digress.
I know it's pretty standard that when someone passes on, that people remind you of how fragile life is. How precious each day is and how it's a gift from God. And how you shouldn't let another second pass without making sure the people in your life who you care about know how you feel. And how we shouldn't take anyone or anything for granted becuase it could be here one second and gone the next. I don't think I need to tell any of you that and I'm sure you already know. But maybe I need to be reminded of it a bit. I think back on people I've known and while I knew how I felt about them, did I tell them? Did I find the right words? Did my actions show it?
But in the midst of all one story ending, another one was beginning for me. For those of you who may not know, I recently was offered and accepted a new job. I started last Friday. I have to say that while I really liked my old job, this one is just energizing me in new ways. And I will tell you--this job was a long time coming. It was a lot of prayers, blood, sweat and tears. And I'm just eccstatic to be where I am now. It's a dream job and I have to pinch myself sometimes to thinking, "Wow, this is your job now..."
So, that's kind of where I am. No big, earth-shattering conclusions for you. Just some random thoughts by me. But then again, what'd you expect from this blog?
posted by Michael Hickerson at 12/06/2006 12:38:00 PM |
|
