They Chose Me

Me & Grandpa Bill

I met Bill years ago at the church I used to attend.  He and his wife, Vivian, were the sweetest couple around.  Warm, inviting and smiles that spread clear through a room.  I was in the midst of trying new churches so I didn't get to know them very well, but each time I returned to that church, they were the first ones to greet me.  Several years later I returned to the church for a few years.  During that time, I wrote and directed a few plays and Bill was always willing to do whatever he could to be a part.  Such a faithful ham! :)  He would make us laugh every practice.

It was during those plays that I drew closer to Bill and Vivian and finally one day shamelessly asked if I could be adopted by them because I didn't have grandparents anymore.  They quickly obliged and became my grandparents. ❤

Fast forward to Christmas of 2016.  I can't remember who called who, but someone reached out and we ended up having dinner together.  That one dinner turned into 16 monthly dinners.  16 beautiful memories.  16 wonderful meals spent with 2 people that quickly stole my heart.  16 places that I pass now with a full heart.

My relationship with this sweet couple goes beyond meals.  Phone calls, cards in the mail and countless prayers have been exchanged over the years.  They are always one of the first ones at our annual family luau, always the first to offer to bring something.  And their love for the Lord is shared with me all the time.  We talk of their years together and their children and grandchildren whom they loved with everything in them.  They are always quick to be sure I am doing well.  In short, most grandchildren have their lifetime to get to know their grandparents.  I was given some precious moments over the past few years to fill my heart with a lifetime of love from these two.

Logan & Grandpa Bill

Lucas & Grandpa Bill

Grandpa Bill even took my nephews fishing for their first time last year.  Today I am more grateful for that afternoon than I ever thought I could be.  I'm grateful that I didn't tell him we were too busy, but maybe next year.  See, there wasn't a next year.

Grandpa Bill went to heaven yesterday.

And my heart is crushed.  He's been fighting illnesses for almost a year.  We haven't been able to have Monday dinners since March due to his hospital and rehab stays.  But, I've had the privilege of spending many afternoons by his side in the care facilities he's been in.  Some days he was too tired to talk.  Some days we joked.  Some days we talked about the food we'd get to eat the next time we went out for dinner.  Some days I just held his hand and said nothing at all.  And I don't regret one moment.

Life is busy.  We think we will get to things later.  But people need to be priority.  We need to chose people.  We need to be purposeful in spending time with those in our lives.

Grandpa Bill told me something a few weeks ago that touched me so deeply.  He was not a man of a lot of words, at least not with me anyway.  But these few words I will cherish the rest of my life.  He told me that grandchildren are chosen for you, just like children.  They are born into your family and you love them.  But then he smiled at me and said, "But we chose you.  You are our granddaughter by choice."

They CHOSE me.  They chose to love me.  They chose to spend time with me.  They chose to pray for me.  They chose to let me weasel my way into their hearts.

His profound words will be with me all my days.  "We chose you."

And I will choose to love others.  I will choose to spend time others and do it now.  I will choose to pray for others.  And I will choose to allow others to weasel their way into my heart.  And I will do it gladly and fondly remember my dear Grandpa Bill.

Tears have come in torrents all week.  He took a turn on Monday and I got to spend one last afternoon with him and some of his family (who, by the way, have extended me such love, too!).  He opened his eyes to see me briefly.  Then I just held his hand and cried with the family.  By Wednesday afternoon, he was fishing in heaven.

I'm so grateful to have been chosen by you, Grandpa Bill.  I'll continue to take care of Grandma Vivian for you and the other family members.  Thank you for your love!  It will always be a part of me...