Grandpa Walker

In March we said goodbye to Paul's Grandpa Walker after he got sick and passed away quite suddenly. This post is long overdue.

I consider myself extremely blessed to have wonderful in-laws who completely include me as another member of the family. Grandpa and Grandma Walker are no exception to this rule and have shared their love with me as a granddaughter-in-law since the first time I met them. I had the pleasure of meeting Paul's grandpa and grandma in 1997 when Paul and I were first dating and headed to their house for a weekend away from Dordt. That visit was the first of many wonderful times and memories with Grandpa and Grandma.

When we moved to California, they visited us in our first apartment. We also had the opportunity to visit them in Arizona when they spent part of the winter there--first just Paul and me and then once with Isaac as well (he was always on the floor with the kids playing with them and throwing balls with them--something our boys absolutely loved--as seen below). During those AZ visits, we shared many laughs, played lots of card games, spent time at the pool in the sun, and played many games of pool and mini golf. (I never was any good at golf or betting in the card games, but Grandpa always had an encouraging word or suggestion to help me out.)

For me most of my memories of Grandpa are tied in with Grandma since they were always together and cared for each other so well. I think the thing I enjoyed most in spending time with both Grandpa and Grandma was their love for each other and for their family and that he loved spending time with each of his family members. I love hearing Paul and his family share memories of visiting Grandpa and Grandma and being visited by them (for holidays and all their school activities). I am thankful for the wonderful example that Grandpa set for Paul and the rest of the family and for the love and laughs he so freely shared with us.

Playing cards at the Walker Family Reunion in 2008

I am so glad that we were all able to make it home in time for the funeral. It was such a joy to be with everyone in Grandpa and Grandma's house. When I spent the first Christmas with the Walker family, we all fit in the living room to open presents; however, the family has grown so much we spilled out of the living room and into most of the rooms upstairs during this visit. Below is a rather random shot--the sight of most of our shoes piled up in the entry at Grandpa & Grandma's house when we were all home for Grandpa's funeral. It was odd not having him there with us. In fact I kept expecting to see him come around a corner or see him sitting on a chair with his legs crossed or tucked underneath himself and a cup of coffee nearby. We were so sad to have to say goodbye, but a piece of Grandpa lives on in each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grandpa, we love you and miss you so much!

For Easter our church displays lilies in memory of loved ones. This is a picture of us with the Easter Lily we bought in memory of Grandpa.