Friday, October 1, 2010
One of the greatest pleasures in my life has been the presence of my grandfathers. I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have been able to call two of the world's most special people "Grandpa". I loved both of my grandpas dearly, in their own unique and special way. And I miss both of them with every fiber of my being. Not a day goes by in which I do not think of these two men and the impact they had on those around them. Samuel Paul Logan and Hubert Litle have left this world a better place for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They each loved their family wholeheartedly and expressed immense joy in each new addition to their family.
When I met Cody, I was overjoyed to find a family as blessed as my own. I had the great pleasure of meeting Cody's Grandpa Nichols and sharing several wonderful years as part of his family. One of my deepest regrets is that his Grandpa Stafford had passed away before we met. Though I missed out on this wonderful person, the imprint he had left on the hearts of his loved ones was plain to see. The stories they tell of him bring bittersweet tears to their eyes. His sense of humor comes shining through and, for just a second, I feel his presence there with us.
These four men, Paul Logan, Hubert Litle, Bill Stafford and Dick Nichols have entered into my thinking more in these last few months than ever before. The sorrow in my heart is simply indescribable when I realize that my own child will never know these men as Cody and I have known them. My child will never feel their strong arms surround them, never hear the stories of their own childhood, never experience the love each of these men would have had for this one special member of their family. All they will know is a shadow, a memory, of who these men were.
And yet, this little child will carry on their legacy; a piece of each of them will make this child who he is meant to be. He will carry on Bill's name, perhaps he will share his wonderful sense of humor. Perhaps this child will be able to see the good in each and every person just like my Papa did. Maybe Dick's determination and quiet steadiness will be passed to my child. Maybe he will become the tough, bigger-than-life, hunter/fisherman just like Grandpa Hubert. Whichever traits my child will carry on, I know that he will be the better for having come from these great men.
As these thoughts float through my heart, I can't help but think of two other men. The two men that my child will call "Grandpa". I am amazed at God's blessings in putting these two men in my life and the life of my child. I could search the world over, but I would not find another man that I would want to replace these two. I have never met two men who loved children more than them. These last four years I have watched them become Grandpas and waited for the day when it would be my turn to give them another grandchild.
I can only pray that my child will know Robert Steven Logan and Kenny Lee Stafford as I have known them. I pray that my child will feel the love of these two men for many years. That he will cherish each day with them. That he will inherit their unique qualities too. Maybe he will have the love of building things, just like my dad. Or maybe he will love the outdoors, just like Kenny. Most of all, I hope that he sits at their knees and learns how to be a great man, one that cares for his family, works hard everyday and plays just as hard. I pray that one day, my child's grandchildren will be able to look upon him and see a little piece of these six men who came before him, his grandfathers.
When I met Cody, I was overjoyed to find a family as blessed as my own. I had the great pleasure of meeting Cody's Grandpa Nichols and sharing several wonderful years as part of his family. One of my deepest regrets is that his Grandpa Stafford had passed away before we met. Though I missed out on this wonderful person, the imprint he had left on the hearts of his loved ones was plain to see. The stories they tell of him bring bittersweet tears to their eyes. His sense of humor comes shining through and, for just a second, I feel his presence there with us.
These four men, Paul Logan, Hubert Litle, Bill Stafford and Dick Nichols have entered into my thinking more in these last few months than ever before. The sorrow in my heart is simply indescribable when I realize that my own child will never know these men as Cody and I have known them. My child will never feel their strong arms surround them, never hear the stories of their own childhood, never experience the love each of these men would have had for this one special member of their family. All they will know is a shadow, a memory, of who these men were.
And yet, this little child will carry on their legacy; a piece of each of them will make this child who he is meant to be. He will carry on Bill's name, perhaps he will share his wonderful sense of humor. Perhaps this child will be able to see the good in each and every person just like my Papa did. Maybe Dick's determination and quiet steadiness will be passed to my child. Maybe he will become the tough, bigger-than-life, hunter/fisherman just like Grandpa Hubert. Whichever traits my child will carry on, I know that he will be the better for having come from these great men.
As these thoughts float through my heart, I can't help but think of two other men. The two men that my child will call "Grandpa". I am amazed at God's blessings in putting these two men in my life and the life of my child. I could search the world over, but I would not find another man that I would want to replace these two. I have never met two men who loved children more than them. These last four years I have watched them become Grandpas and waited for the day when it would be my turn to give them another grandchild.
I can only pray that my child will know Robert Steven Logan and Kenny Lee Stafford as I have known them. I pray that my child will feel the love of these two men for many years. That he will cherish each day with them. That he will inherit their unique qualities too. Maybe he will have the love of building things, just like my dad. Or maybe he will love the outdoors, just like Kenny. Most of all, I hope that he sits at their knees and learns how to be a great man, one that cares for his family, works hard everyday and plays just as hard. I pray that one day, my child's grandchildren will be able to look upon him and see a little piece of these six men who came before him, his grandfathers.
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1 comments:
This is wonderful, Stacey! Thanks for sharing!
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