For Memorial Day

Yes, we listened to "Proud to Be an American" and sang along today. And I just wanted to share these two videos because they left me reflective and thankful for so, so many things.

Grandpa Dean

My Grandpa Farnsworth passed away last week. I didn't know him personally very well while I was growing up. We never sat down together and had any conversations that I can remember, even though I spent a week every summer in his home almost every year of my life. But I got to know him better in the last five years of his life, when he lived with my mom and dad. He was so gracious and kind to them, even though it was so hard on him to be away from his hometown, unable to read or sing or play the violin and eventually unable to walk and converse the way he used. He never complained. I can't imagine what that would be like--to have such a full, talent-filled, friend-filled life. And then have age and circumstance and health slowly take everything away from you. But he handled it with dignity and kindness towards those caring for him. I thank him for his life devoted to serving God. I thank him for the mentor and teacher that he was to the students he taught and for the devoted husband and father he was to my grandma and my mother. I thank him for his love of literature, gardening, and music and his love of people of different races and cultures. My Uncle Kent posted some interesting insights into his life and travels on his website. It is a good read if you have the time.