The funeral was really nice today. There were a lot of people there, and they had a very simple but reverent ceremony. At the cemetery, a Veteran's group came and presented Grandma with a flag, and also did a 21 gun salute and played Taps. It was really beautiful (and I covered Madeleine's ears during the firing of the guns, so it didn't faze her.) Afterwards we had a little luncheon at a neighborhood clubhouse. It was nice to catch up with family and friends that I hadn't seen for a while.
I was thinking of some memories of my Grandpa that I'd like to share.
One is a story that he told about when he was a little boy. He went to a one room schoolhouse with one teacher for all the grades. One day they were outside having recess when he found a bucket that a big truck has flattened. He picked it up and threw it like a frisbee. It caught the wind, came back and hit the teacher in the face as she was coming out of the outhouse! He got spanked and sent home that day.
He always liked to tell stories of Grandma's less than perfect driving abilities. One time she was driving and cut a corner so close that she sent a man's cane flying! Then later she turned straight down the railroad tracks. The funniest thing was the way he told the stories with his dry sense of humor. He said, "Well, then I had to take over."
He loved to garden and always had tons of great vegetables. I remember always being outside with him. He'd always let us "help" with everything and would drop anything he was doing if we wanted to play. I remember he made me a little wooden box with a piece of screen over the top of it and he'd help me catch bugs all day long in his yard. My brother and I loved to explore the barn and his big yard on the farm. I always remember him doing yard work. One of the reasons I love to mow is that I think of him, and how he experienced all the same sights and the smell of freshly cut grass. (Of course Grandpa didn't have a self propelled mower and an ipod, but that's beside the point!)
He was one of 11 kids, and he was the last one left. He told great stories about growing up in such a big family, sharing a bed with his brothers, helping their dad and mom, etc.
We spent a lot of days and nights at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and they would always play as many games as we wanted. We played Old Maid, Po kee no, Rummikub, Crazy 8s, and lots of other card games.
He was very mechanical, and it seemed like he could fix just about anything. He always let my dad help him when he was a little boy, and taught him a lot. I think Dad can pretty much fix anything too! He was very patient with kids, and I hope that I can have that trait too. I always want to let my kids "help" even if it takes longer or doesn't get done as well as I'd like. He really enjoyed his Grandkids I am sure.
One time around Christmas we were at their house and a little girl came to the door. She was selling little handmade angel Christmas ornaments. Grandpa asked how much they were. She said, "Well, these are $1.50 and these are $2.00." Grandpa, obviously not impressed with the craftsmanship that required him to pay an extra 50 cents, said "Two dollars! Where's your cheaper ones!" My brother and I about died laughing and we still repeat that line to this day.
One really funny story happened on their 50th anniversary. The whole family got together and rented a lake house in northern Indiana. We rented a waverunner for the day, and everyone convinced Grandma and Grandpa to take a turn. Grandma said, "For God's sake Lester don't turn right or left!" They got on, got about 20 feet from the dock, and flipped over! We got it all on video, and we still love to tell that story at family gatherings. They had a picture slide show at the funeral, and of course one picture was the one of Grandpa in the water wearing his life jacket, a big grin on his face.
Grandpa, thanks for all the great memories, great example, and lessons you taught me over the past 28 years. We will miss you!
This is Dominic - he's one of our favorite Seminarians, who has been praying for Madeleine since before she was born!
