Wednesday, February 18, 2009

South Dakota

Isn't it suprising how lighthearted a funeral can actually be? One moment, you are dabbing a hankie to your eye, and the next you are musing, visiting, even chuckling. There was music: a sweet little tune sung by the great grand children, a violin piece by my two charges with me on the piano (shaking fingers, of course), and a beautiful duet by two cousins. And there were plenty of stories to share about Grandpa Bud. Lots of the stories told how much he adored Grandma Libbie and how he died seven years to the day after her. Others told about his kindness, his character, his sense of humor, his strength, and his courage. I hadn't know that he was so fearless around rattlesnakes. He'd kill them with hoes, tire irons, rocks or even the cowboy boots on his feet. In my book, that makes him even braver than Indiana Jones. And it's important that a certain little boy and a certain little girl know that about him, too. Because someday it will be there turn to tell some other little boy and some other little girl about their great great Grandpa Bud. And this is why you make a 20 hour drive through ice and snow to go to South Dakota. It isn't so much for the funeral, per se. It's so that you can see your Grandpa Bud's once thriving farmand the land that he loved. And you can meet cousins that you never knew you had, and form friendships that are thicker than water.So you can hear the stories that are meant to live on. So you can remember that those that went before you worked hard to make life better for you. And they did that because they loved you.
Up Next:
Farm Country Multi Grain Loaves

31 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Such a beautiful, touching tribute post.

Anonymous said...

I love this post. I almost started crying and had to remind myself that I'm on campus, and tears just cannot fall here :).

Thank you for reminding us to remember our past and the hard workers before us.

gigi said...

Thank you for this post about your Grandpa Bud. I was thinking about yall this morning and wondering how your trip went and if your made it home safely. Also wondering how the wedding went? Good to hear from you!

Rindy R said...

Sounds like Bud was the perfect Buddy! You were very lucky to have such a wonderful man for a Grandpa!

Unknown said...

you guys were blessed to have experienced his love and life... God bless...

The Bouldins said...

We lost my Grandpa this past November ... and I work hard to make sure he'll be remember by my babies. This was a great post.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What great pictures. Your grandpa sounds like he was a wonderful man!

Jen

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Beautiful post Erin.

Mary Ann said...

This brought tears to my eyes. What a great tribute.

Michal said...

sniff sniff. beatiful. i'm glad you're back safe and sound.

Anonymous said...

Oh honey. Glad you're back... glad it was a safe trip and you got to see loved ones. You're a rock, and an excellent mom to your charges. Old stories aren't told often enough- or there just isn't any time for it these days. I'm so glad you're instilling that in your charges.

~Cat

Marjie said...

(sniff, sniff)

Welcome home, Erin.

Jamie said...

Oh Erin, what a great moving post!

Sophie said...

I'm sorry about your loss, but how nice that you all were able to enjoy the farm.

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Thanks for bringing him into our lives, too. I loved reading this post (with a tissue).

Becca said...

How touching, sending my condolenscens.

Allison said...

I think this is the first time I've read your blog, I know its the first I've commented , but this entry reminds me so much of my grandpa. It brought tears to my eyes.My condolences to you and your family.

Christina said...

I've spent the past two days making plans to go to my Grammy's memorial service in April, so this post really touched my heart in a special way. Thank you for sharing!

Pamela said...

I'm so sorry, Prudy! I've just been getting caught up on my blog reading and found out about your Grandpa. He sounded like an amazing man! Thank you for sharing his memory with us.

Allie said...

Your grandpa sounds like he was a wonderful man! Beautiful tribute!

Maria said...

Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing!

The Blonde Duck said...

Gorgeous, Prudy. Grandpa Bud would be proud.

Catherine said...

I loved learning about your cowboy Grandpa. I love how fearless he was about rattlesnakes. And that last picture is so beautiful and everything, a picture of an old cowboy should be.

Unknown said...

Beautiful. I so relate to your feelings as my mom died in November. Thank you for the reminder of what is really important in this life.

Michelle said...

Aaahhh, thanks for getting this in writing. It DID make me cry...because he was my Grandpa Bud too :) What an amazing man - thanks for putting it so beautifully. I love ya!
(Do you have the original of the shovel photo?)

Prudy said...

Michelle:
I can't find my good shot of Grandpa. That particular shot is from the day we planted trees at the family reunion maybe 10 years ago. It's my favorite picture of Grandpa. I snatched that one out of a frame to scan, but I'm madly hunting for the better one somewhere in all my pictures. I'll send you my scanned copy.

Swan said...

I do believe I'm all misty over your Grandpa Bud. Thanks for sharing such a touchingl post about a man who surely was as wonderful as you remember him to have been.

Suzie said...

What a lovely post. Thanks for showing us Grandpa Bud.

vanillasugarblog said...

ohhh no! I didn't know him, but I remember you speaking so fondly of him.
I'm sorry Erin. :-(

beckstarr said...

Thank you for posting such a heartwarming reminder of why it is that we even make an effort to keep in touch with loved ones -- even at great sacrifice. What a beautiful thing you're giving to your children. I needed to read this today.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Prudy, so sorry about your Grandpa.
I love all the photo's of the kids bonding together. Priceless.