The Way They Were

The King's sweet grandfather passed away yesterday.

He had been sick for about 10 days.

While we are sad and a bit surprised, we are mostly happy for him.

He is spending eternity with our Saviour and with his sweet bride.

Papa lost his wife 20 years ago. Though I never knew her, The King has often told me that he was never the same after she passed.

As we began the task of going through his things yesterday (he was already in the process of moving) I began to see what The King meant by that.

He still had a pair of her glasses in his bedside table.

There were postcards from their honeymoon in his top dresser drawer.

He had her picture --and her obituary-- taped on the wall beside his chair. Her Bible was also beside his chair.

I opened a cabinet and found all of her recipes neatly stacked.

I also found every program for every football game The King ever played.

He had 6 copies of the newspaper with our wedding announcement. And a napkin from our reception.

He saved The King's sisters' graduation announcements. And their baby shoes.

He had, literally, the funeral programs from every funeral he had ever attended.

All of our Christmas cards were in his living room. Every photo of himself and The Princess were there, too.

The coffee mug that The Princess painted for him in 2003 was proudly displayed on his television.

He had saved every important thing from his life with his wife.

And it seems that he had saved the details from all that she had missed. For her.

Two things particularly touched my heart. The King's grandmother became ill while she was out of town. He had to rush her home and took her straight to the hospital. She never returned to their home.

As we were going through his closet, we found her overnight bag.

It was still packed for that last trip. Still. After 20 years.

He couldn't bear to unpack it.

He has moved twice since he lost his wife. Yet he holds on to her glasses and recipes. He has moved her packed bag. I would guess that the picture and her obituary have been by his chair no matter where he has lived.

The other sweet thing was also found in his bedside table. Her calendar for 1988. The year she died.

Up until July, she had 3 or 4 entries each week. Trips they took and appointments they made.

She wrote down when they had a cold and what the grandkids were doing.

She noted that last trip they took.

And then there were 3 more entries...

Doris sick.

Doris died.

Doris buried.

Nothing else filled the pages.

Yet it stayed in his bedside table for 20 years.

I am certain that in many ways that calendar is much like his life.

Nothing really filled his pages for the last 20 years.

He remained happy. He was incredibly active. He was very involved with his family.

But he missed his bride.

We rejoice that they have been reunited and will never be apart again.

Comments

[Straight Shooter]

I have not read anything so touching in ages.
More than anything, Thank you for sharing Grandpa and Grandma's love affair with us today.
I think this story will be one of those tucked away and cherished then shared at just the right moments.
Thank you Queenie, as always your choice and words are impeccable.

[thefarmerfiles]

This story was uniquely precious. Rejoicing with you he is in Glory. Much aloha!

[Angie]

What a beautiful post and touching story. I am in tears. Sounds like they had an incredible life together, and now they are living together forever in glory. What a gift.

[Rebecca]

Oh my! What a lovely tribute.

I am sorry for your family's loss.

[karen]

That has got to be the sweetest thing that I have read in a long time. What a beautiful picture of marriage.

[Jen @ I should be cleaning]

You've got me in tears here. How touching!

[Heather]

That is such a touching story. Somewhere, they are together again and incredibly happy. If we all were so lucky to have that kind of love....

[faithful chick]

So sorry for your loss. What a sweet post.

[Wendi]

That is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever heard.
Beautiful.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

[Shelia]

People tend to think of romance as just short of lust these days.
That's romance though. Treasuring someone in that way. It's one of the sweetest, most romantic things I've read in some time.
What a beautiful way to remember him.

[the Roost]

That is so touching. I rejoice with you too.

[Diane]

Tears for their separation and tears for their joy today.
Thanks for writing this.

[Lindsay]

Sorry for you and your family's loss. The King's grandfather sounds like a very loving and caring man. I am sure he is sitting next to his bride and smiling down on all of you.

[Joan]

So sorry for your loss. I know that you all will miss him, but have joy for where he will be spending eternity.

The love the King's father felt for the King's mother is the kind of love I think every one deserves. I am so blessed to have someone love me that way. I'm going to call my husband right now and tell him how much he is loved and appreciated.

Thank you for posting this.

God Bless

[Dawn W]

What a wonderful tribute to the man's life and a touching portrait of a deep love.

I am very sorry for your loss, but I do rejoice with you in the knowledge that he is with the Lord and his bride!

Blessings!

[Lisa@take90west]

That was absolutely beautiful. Everybody wants a love story like that, I know I do. The still-packed suitcase broke my heart.

So sorry for you all...

[Tonggu Momma]

This touched me deeply. Praise the Lord they are together again!

[Tammy]

What a beautiful story of love and dedication, QB. There was a wonderful reunion in Heaven yesterday. Not only with his Savior, but with his soul mate.

Blessings and prayers for the King and family.

[Meredith]

What an incredibly touching tribute. Thank you for sharing with us. May y'all find peace and comfort during this time.

[canadacole]

This was beautiful. What a wonderful love story. Thank you.

[Fuschia]

I've typed and re-typed comments, and all I can really land on is this: I am deeply moved.

[jennifer]

That is the most touching thing I've EVER read! What a great example to live by! Today, I'll smile knowing that he's where he belongs -- with the love of his life!

Sympathy, Smiles, and Hugs,
Jen

[KellyB]

I'm in tears just from the love that flowed from that story. The King was blessed to have such a loving relationship to witness and be a part of. Praying for you during your time of loss and joy in Christ.

[molly]

wow. beautiful.
that made me cry.

[Jennifer]

Isn't it wonderful to know that God has a place where to lovers, friends and souls can rest together forever? It's a beautiful day when two people are reunited in the presence of their Father.

Thank you for sharing, this was beautiful.