On April 6, 2004 my grandfather, Howard T. Johnson passed away (It was also my youngest daughter's 3rd birthday...come to think of it, my other grandfather passed away on my oldest daughter's birthday! weird, but I digress). He was my hero. I can remember every time I needed advice, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement...my grandma & grandpa Johnson were there to do whatever was needed and at the perfect time. I have not looked up to an earthly person more than this man...he was a man's man. Here are a few of the characteristics that made this man so special and great...
1) Love for God. I remember when I first told my grandpa about my desire to enter into the ministry. He was so proud of me...and told me! He also shared about being Sunday School superintendent at his church in Arizona (I believe that is right) and his own struggles about wanting to possibly enter into preaching ministry. I know that every time I went to their house grandma & grandpa always had their bible beside the places they always sat in the living room...I remember loving hearing him pray at meal times. His God was valuable and important to him. I will always cherish our long conversations about what heaven will be like in the months before he passed away...I hope it is everything he imagined it to be and more!!
2) Love for family. Family always came first with grandpa. He loved his wife the same at the end of his life as at the beginning. He loved and was so proud of his kids and their accomplishments. He was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for...loyal, loving, relational, dedicated. His love and commitment to the family unit is what set him apart in my mind to be so great...one that I try and copy, some days better than others.
3) Love for hard work. Grandpa was a hard worker. He worked tirelessly all his life to make life for his family a good one. He was a dairy farmer for years before also being a mechanic. Grandpa always had to be doing something!
I miss him. It has been 6 years, but it seems like 6 days. I miss his infectious belly laugh...his smile and sense of humor. I remember the first time I took Darla to meet my grandparents (any girl I went with had to pass the grandma & grandpa Johnson test!) I told her "just so you know, you're going to give grandma & grandpa a hug bye, and you will do it on your own". Darla was not raised around an affectionate home atmosphere, so she was even surprised when we got ready to leave she, on her own, walked over to grandma & grandpa and gave them a hug bye. They were just that kind of people. I only hope and pray that I am half the man that my grandpa was...I will never forget at 12:15am on April 6, 2004 telling him I loved him, he told me he loved me, and he was gone 4 hours later. I want that legacy in my life...I want to be just like my grandpa Johnson.
No comments:
Post a Comment