Grandpa, while I know it seems like only a few moments have passed for you, to me it seems like decades have passed in these two years. I'm twenty-one now, and Cyndi married that silly boy, Andy. She also graduated college, while that beautiful younger cousin of mine, Karissa, is about to graduate from high school. We sure miss you when the big things happen, but I certainly miss you during the little things too. Every time I head out to you house, it's still weird to see Grandma without you. She's doing good though. I know she misses you on a daily basis, but she's still going. When I go to Dewey, I think about how you would ask me if I'd found a guy yet. Well the answer is still no, but I'm still praying and looking. I really miss you but I love how your legacy still lives on in many, many ways as well. You have children that are following the King you taught them to love. Those kids taught their kids to follow God, as well. You saw all of this happening while you were here, but now your grandchildren are passing along a legacy of love and prayer to their children just like you did for them. Remember those times you would squeeze ketchup all over my plate and I would eat it all? Every time I reach for a ketchup bottle, I think of my missing grandfather. So while all of these things may make me sad and miss you here on this earth, I remember after just a few seconds that you have it better than I do right now. You are in the place you always longed to be. On this day two years ago, you met your Maker and it became the day you had been dreaming of all your life. So here's to wishing you a happy second Heaven day.
My grandpa was a great man of God. He spent his whole life chasing after God, not fame or money. He served as a pastor in many towns and helped to serve the people of those towns with his hands as well as his words. Out of his marriage to my wonderful grandma, he raised five wonderful children. The middle child of this lively bunch, followed in my grandfather's steps and became a pastor as well as a wonderful father to three beautiful girls. For the first twelve years of my life, I lived in the same town as my grandpa and was able to see him in action. From many sleepovers and sick days spent at my grandparents' house, I saw the constant prayer and love that went to his family, friends, enemies, and any one else around him.
It was hard to say good-bye to him two years ago and it's still hard to sit here and think about the fact that it could be many, many decades before I get the chance to see him again. Yet that's just the thing, I have an assurance that I will see him again. I may miss him for awhile but in just a few short moments in the terms of eternity, I will see him again. I know that because he lived a life committed to our Heavenly Father and that I strive to do the same, someday I will be with him for eternity. Until that day comes, I will try to follow in his footsteps and run after my (and his) God--the one true God of the Bible.
--In loving memory of the greatest prayer warrior I have ever known, Reverend Donald LeRoy Rothfuss--
Happy Second Heaven Day
Happy Second Heaven Day
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