Sunday, June 13, 2010

grandpa oxspring

I've been meaning to post this for a while now. It's been on my mental to-do list since Memorial Day.

While I was home in Idaho for Memorial Day weekend, I was able to visit my grandpa's grave. Harvey Kane Oxspring. He passed away when I was a senior in high school. He had pancreatic cancer. It happened quickly.

As I have contemplated recently on the man that my grandfather was, I am so grateful to have had him in my life. And even more grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again.

Here are some of my fondest memories/random thoughts about my Grandpa Oxspring:

He was a talented piano player and singer. His voice was lovely.
He used to call us kids "little rascals."
He laughed like Santa Clause--"ho ho ho"--and his belly jiggled too.
He had a twinkle in his eye and was always smiling.
He loved popcorn.
He let me drive the golf cart when I was a kid. It meant the world to me.
He was my horsey when I was really little and let me ride around on his back.
He was an avid golfer and tennis player.
He served in the Canadian military.
He cared about me. Immensely.
He was a faithful and righteous man. Church responsibilities came first.
He loved his family and knew how to show it.
He believed in me.
He was my Grandpa.

He never got to see his grandkids get married, or be their sealer as he had dreamed of. He never got to see his great-grandkids. He never got to see what us kids grew up to become. But there were so many times on my mission that I felt his presence near and I was very aware that he was watching over me.

I am grateful for my Grandpa Oxspring. I just wanted to pay a little tribute to him. Here are some of my favorite photos of Grandpa and me.