Picture a pond that is perfectly clear. It is so smooth that it looks like glass. See yourself throwing a stone into the middle of that pond. What do you see? A ripple that seems to go on forever. It flows out so far that it touches all parts of the pond. Not one square inch of the pond’s surface is left unaffected by the ripple. The entire pond has been impacted and touched by the action of that one stone.
We celebrate the life of a man who is that stone and we are that pond.
Grandpa as I knew him and later as Papa, had many names. Son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great grandfather, friend. He always had a positive look on life and always saw the best in people. He was truthful and hardworking, but also knew how to relax.
I will remember him for that.
He was heavily involved with scouting, both boy’s and girl’s scouts. Almost every camping trip I went on, he was there. Massawepie, Algonquin, and probably Camp Cutler. He was there on our adventures in the wild by way of canoe. He showed me how to remove leeches, how to bake in a cardboard box, and tie knots.
I will remember him for that.
He volunteered swimming lessons for the American Red Cross. I joined as a way to spend time with him. At the end of each year we had a volunteer banquet lunch at McDonald’s. He would ask for a single French fry “just to taste”. After three fries he was content.
I will remember him for that.
When I went to take my driver’s test, he picked me up from school and taught me to Parallel Park 15 minutes before my test. He taught me how to drive standard by parking on a hill followed with a smile and commented “let’s go”.
I will remember him for that.
We would always talk about gardening. Compare notes and share new ways or ideas we picked up along the way. I always looked forward to those talks.
I will remember that.
He gave me his favorite recliner, his very first piece of furniture. It was probably older than everyone in this room, but it was so comfortable. I bet I found enough of his pocket change in the cushion to go on vacation twice.
I will remember that.
He used humor to brighten conversation, even if I didn’t get it sometimes. I know where I got that from. A famous male Dieter trait.
I will remember that.
We come together to remember a man who gave so much to the world. We are sad for the loss of our loved one, but this is a time to celebrate. Our fallen has found peace and no longer needs to deal with the struggles of this world. Funerals are for the living. This is a time to bond together, to show support, to give strength, and to reflect.
I close with a quote. “What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller.
We celebrate the life of a man who is that stone and we are that pond.
Grandpa as I knew him and later as Papa, had many names. Son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great grandfather, friend. He always had a positive look on life and always saw the best in people. He was truthful and hardworking, but also knew how to relax.
I will remember him for that.
He was heavily involved with scouting, both boy’s and girl’s scouts. Almost every camping trip I went on, he was there. Massawepie, Algonquin, and probably Camp Cutler. He was there on our adventures in the wild by way of canoe. He showed me how to remove leeches, how to bake in a cardboard box, and tie knots.
I will remember him for that.
He volunteered swimming lessons for the American Red Cross. I joined as a way to spend time with him. At the end of each year we had a volunteer banquet lunch at McDonald’s. He would ask for a single French fry “just to taste”. After three fries he was content.
I will remember him for that.
When I went to take my driver’s test, he picked me up from school and taught me to Parallel Park 15 minutes before my test. He taught me how to drive standard by parking on a hill followed with a smile and commented “let’s go”.
I will remember him for that.
We would always talk about gardening. Compare notes and share new ways or ideas we picked up along the way. I always looked forward to those talks.
I will remember that.
He gave me his favorite recliner, his very first piece of furniture. It was probably older than everyone in this room, but it was so comfortable. I bet I found enough of his pocket change in the cushion to go on vacation twice.
I will remember that.
He used humor to brighten conversation, even if I didn’t get it sometimes. I know where I got that from. A famous male Dieter trait.
I will remember that.
We come together to remember a man who gave so much to the world. We are sad for the loss of our loved one, but this is a time to celebrate. Our fallen has found peace and no longer needs to deal with the struggles of this world. Funerals are for the living. This is a time to bond together, to show support, to give strength, and to reflect.
I close with a quote. “What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller.