Grandpa Joe

I had  the privilege to spend some extra time with my Grandpa Joe before he passed in 2015. In fact, when I realized I had a "light" (for me) week, I knew it was to spend more time with him and helping ease the load my Aunt Mary Ann carries as she cares for him in his final days. I went there every day that week and while I thought I was joyfully doing THEM a service, it turns out it was for me. One day, grandpa wanted me to read to him. He requested the scriptures (Book of Mormon) and while I was reading I was flooded with an overwhelming spirit of this man and his influence on my life. His loving care for me over the years, his love and patience for my dad, his son. His commitment to his faith...even in his final times he's asking for the scriptures. I'm pretty sure his place in heaven was already reserved, but he showed me through example that we should never let up on immersing ourselves in the "good word of God". I said through this process that "Death is for the living." Turns out it was even more true than I thought. I was beyond blessed that day and will forever cherish this memory.

O, do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God. - Phillips Brooks

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Michelle McCullough