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Tuesday, January 05, 2010

My Beautiful New Niece Jocelyn




A Bitter Sweet Day


On Monday December 30th it was a bittersweet day. My grandfather who had beenbattling Lung Cancer passed away. He had been staying in a special home and was under Hospice Care. He woke up that morning fiesty as ever wanting pizza and a beer and his clothes so he could get the hell out of there. He died alittle after 1 pm. My grandmother had just missed him by 5 minutes. 20 minutes later on another side of town, my sister gave birth to my beautiful new niece Jocelyn Marie Hiatt. The Circle of Life.

I was asked to write a Eulogy for the Mass that will be this Saturday and here is what I wrote. January 2,2009
My grandpa has always been an influential figure in my life. He was a man that demanded respect and order and earned it. Underneath that tough demur was a big teddy bear. My grandpa might not have been one to say I love you or give hugs or kisses but he spoke a different love language. He showed his love in the way he provided for his family. He also showed it in his presence in our lives. Family was a top priority to him. He was always present at the major and minor events in our lives.
My grandpa loved working in his garden. I remember going over to my grandparents house and hanging out in the backyard. His garden was huge and full of delicious vegetables that he grew with love. He took great pride in his green thumb and we reaped the benefits. I think that is why I have a love for vegetables now. He introduced us to many varieties of veggies. I remember sneaking back to the raspberry bushes and sneaking a few and he never seemed to mind. Thank God I am not one of those pesky groundhogs or skunks that he had to permanently evict on many occasions.
I remember many sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I would wake up to the sound of their favorite Polka Station playing in the kitchen. I loved the relationship my grandparents had. I will never forget the sound of my grandpa’s voice as he would call grandma’s name whether it was lovingly or when he was annoyed. Their love was evident from the very beginning. My Grandma told me how they met at a hayride and how Grandpa was always taking her out for hamburgers and milkshakes and fattening her up. They worked so well side by side, especially in the kitchen. They made the best Kielbalsa and pickles. Grandpa also made delicious horseradish and chopped liver among other things.
Grandpa was a jokester at times too. He was always quick to ask us to pull his finger or he would try to stomp on our feet. He also taught us how to squirt water out of our fists when he would visit the Tobolski’s pool. He loved to tell us stories of his childhood days and the pranks him and his buddies pulled.
There was also the trips to Kings Island and the trips to Chain o Lakes. Sunday evenings were also spent with them at their house. We would sit outside or go inside and watch Hee Haw or the football game. Grandpa was a huge Notre Dame Fan. That was something that my husband and him had in common. He would sit in his favorite recliner and catch a snooze and Grandpa would bring out the snacks. He had a sweet tooth and they always had some sort of candy around.
One of my most treasured memories of Grandpa is when we brought
Dominic home to meet the family. At the time he was a foster child. I was so nervous because I knew that my family could be a little racist especially my grandpa. He had brought me to tears many times due to his tasteless jokes. The first time he held Dominic was out on my parents porch. I remember telling him about Dominic’s birth history and he sat there and held him with tears coming down his cheeks. In that moment I saw a grandpa’s heart---one that accepted and loved Dominic because I did. That small little baby moved him above and beyond something that had been a huge part of his past in an instant. He loved and adored all of the great grandchildren and they loved him.
Grandpa you are missed tremendously and I am honored that you were such an important part of our lives. You will not be forgotten.
Your Granddaughter,
Jennifer

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
A Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

New Year

As much as I love a New year, I refuse to make New Year's resolutions. I would be setting myself up for failure. Who honestly really makes resolutions and sticks with them? I have tried in the past and will get all excited and gung ho and then BAM it ends.
This year instead I am just going to work on getting closer to God. By growing closer to God change is inevitable. With inner change comes outer change. I so desperately need to change in so many areas of my life. I want to be transformed. I want to be the person that God sees me to be. I want to take the limits off.
Praying God does great things for all of us as we diligently seek Him and take the limits off.