Faith for a Farm... Grandpa Thomas

Yesterday we received a call. 

My husband's Grandfather had passed away shortly after breakfast.

My husband has always been close to his Grandpa. He remembers "hunting for nickels" with his Grandpa (where they'd drive along searching for cans that they'd recycle for five cents a piece) in his Grandpa's blue Ford pickup. They camped and fished together. He'd make pancakes on the open fire with huckleberries that they'd just picked. He always had good stories. He laughed a lot.

Grandpa Thomas sometimes lead worship at his church... he loved singing hymns.

Our three boys really adored their Great-Grandpa, and I loved him too. He was a big man with a big heart. He was very friendly and had a great sense of humor!  

Like us, he and his wife raised three boys! 

It was important to us that our children knew their Great-Grandpa, and they did. Last Thanksgiving, as we sat around the table sharing what we were thankful for... Grandpa Thomas looked, with tears in his eyes, across the table, pointed at our three sons and said, "I'm thankful for those three." 

I remember the way our boys (ages 11, 8 and 5) looked in that moment... wide-eyed and sensing the importance of what they were hearing. They were so loved by, and important to, their Great-Grandpa. He talked about family, loving Jesus, and what it means to be a Thomas. We shared this time with Aaron's parents, which meant there were four generations represented!

What a blessing for our boys and us to have this connection with prior generations and understand more of our family's roots.

The last time we visited Grandpa Thomas, he was living in an assisted living home. His health was declining and it was hard to see a man once so full of life, fading. Our son Noah (8 years old at the time), had been practicing on the piano for many weeks so that he would be ready to play for his Great-Grandpa. Noah played "Amazing Grace" while his Great-Grandpa tried his best to sing along. It was a very special time that we'll always treasure.

While we miss him being here with us, we take comfort in knowing that Grandpa Thomas is in heaven with the Lord and with his wife, whom he has missed so much...and we know we will see him again.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Thank you for being here and sharing life with us.

Have a blessed Sunday!

xo