Love you, Grandpa Russ...

On Wednesday my Grandpa Russ passed away after a battle with cancer and a multitude of related complications. He was the only grandpa I've ever known (my paternal grandpa died before I was born), and even though he wasn't my biological grandfather (my grandma divorced my mom's dad many years ago), he never treated me like a stepgranddaughter. He was the kindest man I know, and took care of anything that couldn't take care of itself. Grandpa Russ always had at least ten bird feeders out in the yard filled with a variety of seeds for every kind of bird imaginable. Even after his retirement he drove a van where he picked up/dropped off disabled people and loved them like his own children! Every time we came to visit, he'd make his famous coke roast or t-bone steak... he was an INCREDIBLE cook!! :)

I love him so much, and I'm so sad that he's not with us any more. But it brought a great deal of comfort to my heart to know that he's free from the pain and suffering of his mortal body. It also reminded me that the Lord is merciful, and has a plan for all of us that extends far beyond our time on earth.

I created this slideshow for Grandpa of lots of pictures from his family. I always kind of felt like he was one of my biggest fans when I sang, because he always listened to the tape I made him a few years ago with some of my songs on it. His favorite song was "Homeward Bound," a piece in which I did the opening/closing solos for an all-northwest women's choir. In honor of him, I re-recorded the song to an existing accompaniment track I found (by William Joseph) on itunes. I find great comfort in the lines "if you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return, to your thoughts I'll soon be listening - in the road I'll stop and turn. ..." As I was recording it a few days ago, I distinctly felt Grandpa's presence as I sang these words, and felt that he had taken a moment to "stop and turn" on his path homeward bound to bring me his comfort and love.