A Wonderful Reunion

The past two weeks have been wonderful. Even though we had Grandpa Miller's funeral, that is what brought our entire family together during this season of the year, the time when we think of our Savior, his birth, his life, his atonement, his death and resurrection. Even though we have been very busy, I have thought a lot about the beauty of the plan of salvation and the fact that we can be together eternally with each other and with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if we keep the commandments. For that, I am very grateful. I have thought about the great reunion Grandpa Miller has been having on the other side as we have had a great reunion here on earth. What a blessing FAMILY is.

Despite the snowy weather, everyone made it safe and sound and all were able to attend the funeral.

We then had a 90th birthday party open house for Grandpa Dalebout at his ward. Many of his relatives and friends came to wish him happy birthday. I think he was very pleased with the party and seeing how many people love him and remember him. Happy Birthday, Grandpa D. We love you.

One of my favorites of the week was our Christmas Eve party. We had a yummy dinner and then Santa visited us. Each of the grandchildren sat on his lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas. Each family entertained us and the evening was topped off with our annual nativity production, headed by Abish Lai.

Grandpa Miller's passing

Today, December 14, 2008, Grandpa Miller passed on. I am so happy for him and for the joy that he is feeling. He is meeting his father, (whom he has never known in this life), his mother, his wife, sisters, my parents, and many more who have gone on. As our choir sang today, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo, I thought about how Grandpa is feeling and that he is probably pretty happy to have left this world and is even singing Gloria, Gloria.

For the past four days, he has been very agitated and saying that he wanted to die. He said he couldn't figure out why the Savior didn't want him. That made me sad, because I know the fine person he is and know that the Savior did want him. Perhaps, Grandpa had to go through some difficult times for some unknown reason. And, perhaps we had to go through those times with him and see how miserable he was so that we could let him go home. My prayer was that the desire of his heart would be met, and that if it was okay for him to pass on, then let it be. At about 1:00 a.m. this morning, Glen called and said that our prayers had been answered. So, I know others were also praying for the same.

It still doesn't make it easy for us, because we all loved him so. He was truly my hero. He made me feel like I was his very own daughter up to the end. I will cherish the special relationship we had together, the good times we shared and the sad times we shared. He was always a constant in my life, and I knew that when he said something, I should listen and do as he said. I often said that he had a direct lifeline to heaven and that I always tried to listen to the things he told me to do or advised me to do. I truly think Heavenly Father and Jesus loved this special man.

May his memory live in our lives forever, and when I meet him someday, I hope he will be happy with the things that I have done in my life. I love that man.