Saying Goodbye...

 

                If you’ve read the blog for a while, you’ve read about Ryan’s Grandpa Cox. Today’s post is a tribute to him, as he had the privilege of meeting Jesus just a few days ago. I can only imagine his joy, freed from a body and mind that had been declining and failing him the past few years.

                Grandpa Cox and my dad were friends for years, long before Ryan and I met up as adults. Grandpa and my parents went to the same church for a number of years, and whenever I would visit, he would always greet me with a huge smile, ask how I was doing, and he never walked away without saying to me, “The Lord bless ya.” I had no idea back then that one day I would have the privilege of being invited to call him grandpa. My first birthday after I married Ryan, Grandpa went out and bought me a granddaughter birthday card. It had been years since I received a card from a grandparent, since I’d lost all my own grandparents before I graduated from high school. He wrote me the sweetest message in that card and signed it “Grandpa – that’s what Ryan calls me.”

                And with that, I became a granddaughter again, and I couldn’t have asked for a better bonus grandfather than Grandpa Cox.

                Last night I scoured old photo files, looking for some contributions for the video tribute at his service. As I copied and pasted pictures into a “Grandpa Cox” file, I was greeted with the sweetest memories, and I hoped I might share a few of them with you today.

                Until his mind and memory began to fail, Grandpa was a staple at every holiday, birthday party, wedding…and even my gallbladder surgery. He’d been widowed for years, but he came to everything on his own and was always a sweet addition to the group. This picture is from my 40^th birthday party. I believe he was asking his daughter (Ryan’s Aunt Ruthie) if his presence in the picture was going to break the camera. 😊

                Grandpa loved his family – and there sure were a bunch of them to love. I ran across this picture from years ago – where he’s just sweetly listening to his grandson play the violin. He was never too busy to stop and appreciate, just like you see here.

                This one made me smile. Ryan’s mom insisted on group pictures at every family gathering. I love this one of Grandpa and his four kids at one of the Father’s Day gatherings Nita always hosted.

                I also really, really love this picture of Nita and Grandpa. This was taken at her surprise party for her 60^th birthday. Nita loved her dad with her entire being, and Ryan and I have said many times over the last five or so years that we are so grateful she didn’t have to watch his mind decline. I am not sure her heart could have taken it. He was her world.

                He was never too old to love the little ones, and they all dearly loved him.

                This picture was taken the day of Nita’s brain surgery. We had waited hours for news – much longer than they estimated. I snapped this one of Grandpa listening to the doctor. It is a favorite of Ryan’s cousin (who is to Grandpa’s right) – and I don’t disagree with her.

                When Nita lived with us following her surgery, Grandpa would come to visit. One day, she asked if I’d come take this picture of them while they talked and I did. I think it was the last picture of the two of them while she still looked like herself…before the pain took over and the look in her eyes was never the same again. I love this one.

                Grandpa LOVED playing Aggravation, and here are a few pictures of family tournaments.

                Ryan had the privilege of helping with his therapy after a fall left Grandpa with a brain injury. They had the best time together.

                This is the last picture taken with Grandpa and all (but one) of his grandchildren.

                Nita’s last Christmas. She was struggling so hard but wanted all the pictures, and we kept snapping the shutter until she had all she wanted.

                The winter after the pandemic, Grandpa spent a few weeks in a rehab hospital. We went to visit, and they would only let family members visit in a MASH-style tent behind the hospital. Grandpa kept pulling his mask down for pictures because he wanted his smile to be seen. This was really the beginning of his severe dementia. He knew us, but his mind as we knew it was largely gone.

                My favorite memory of all is captured in these photos. Grandpa was Ryan’s hero. He wants to be just like him: devoted to Christ, kind, joyful even if his mind fails him. Grandpa knew Ryan clear up until our last visit about two weeks ago. He didn’t know us that day, but when we walked in the room, he smiled so big and was so happy to see us. Ryan prayed the sweetest prayer over Grandpa’s life, and we said goodbye, knowing it was probably our very last one on this earth.

                Grandpa, we miss you already, but there is no way we could wish you back from the perfection and joy that is your life now. This is what you lived for, and we are so happy it’s your reality now. Thank you for loving us so well and leaving a tremendous legacy for us. We love you, and we look forward to being reunited with you in Heaven one day!