Monday, November 9, 2009

God be with you till we meet again



My grandpa passed away last week in Laguna Beach Hospital.
I feel so blessed to have been able to spend one short hour by his bedside a few days before he passed.
He was heavily sedated and could not respond, but the love and peace felt in his room was overwhelming.  It made me so grateful to know that we will be seeing each other again, and that family members in heaven were most definitely anxiously awaiting his return home.   That is the beautiful thing about God's Plan...we know we can be with our families eternally.


Marc Harvey Sessions

Born: October 3, 1914
Died:  November 2, 2009



Memories of Grandpa:

* His dapper appearance - always wearing a bowtie and beret.
* As a Harvard grad, he put a lot of emphasis on education.
*  His commitment to his religion, but acceptance of others.
*  His love for my grandma.
*  His playfulness with his grandchildren...always having the neatest contraptions (push scooters, a garage hideaway, playhouses)
*  His entrepreneurial spirit - finding a way to squeeze in a business deal with anyone he met.
*  Going to stay with him and my grandma in their Catalina house.  (driving a golf cart around was any kids dream)
*Having dinners with him in his rest home.
*Introducing my kids to him.
*  Singing fun songs and hearing him play the piano.
* His somewhat unorthodox way of saying a prayer at my brother's missionary farewell (very characteristic of his unique personality)
*  His thumb that was cut off as a child.
* His birthday letters that were usually written in some kind of code (u R gr-8...he would have been a texting wizard!)
*  His jovial and cheery disposition.
* Words like, "Carry On"  "marvelous" "A++"


We will miss you Grandpa....until we meet again!








My last goodbye.

24 comments:

Jenna Theobald Broadbent said...

Ali,
I am so sorry. I've always enjoyed hearing stories about your wonderful, and wonderfully delightful grandpa. I don't ever hear the Lords Prayer without thinking of him.

PS. Brady looks just like him!

Our thought are with you.
J

cort said...

So sorry to hear about the family loss. He is in a better place now, that is for sure.

shawna said...

Sorry to hear about your Grandpa's passing. Luckily, we Do Know it is JUST a passing on to the next stage. The plan of salvation gives us comfort, even though we miss the actual companionship... My prayers are with you.

Fawn Christiansen said...

Ali, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't believe I spoke to you today and we didn't have a chance to "talk".
Xo-
Fawn

merideth said...

very sweet ali... grandpas are so special. i am glad you got to have time with him. i am sure the feelings were so special.

bBchronicles said...

Oh Ali - I talked to your mom and found out! It's so crazy but he reminds me of my dad before he passed away! It's a tough loss - he was so full of life and adventure! He'll be missed. Beautiful tribute for a wonderful man! Luv you - you're in my thoughts.

Kaylynn said...

That last picture is priceless. I'm so sorry. I'm so glad you got to be there to say goodbye. Thinking of you.

Oler Family said...

Awww Ali! What a sweet post. He looks and sounds like such a special man. My thoughts are with you!!

kelly said...

Ali, this post is perfect.

I'm sorry for the loss of your grandpa. I'm so glad you got to go see him last week.
what a wonderful man!

Jay and Gwen Sessions said...

What a nice tribute, Ali. And what a sacrifice you made to be with him at the end and attend the start of the funeral to meet some of the relatives. It turned into quite a reunion which must be what he is going through on the other side. The Lord's prayer will never be the same without him reciting it and trying to get the congregation to repeat it with him. Thanks for the tribute to my wodnerful dad.

forget laundry said...

Ali, I'm so sorry- and so glad you were able to spend those last moments with him. there is something sweet about those few last hours. so glad we know about forever families.

Katie said...

How sweet sorry for your loss!

Abi said...

So sorry to hear the news! Its hard to see someone you love leave this world into the next! Makes you so thankful to know you will see them again.

jayne wells said...

You are a good granddaughter. I love those pictures!

UreFam said...

He looks like the grandpa everyone would like to have. So sorry for your family. We'll be praying for you.

Marie said...

Ali, I love you. I'm sorry you had to say goodbye to your grandpa. It saddens me to think of a time when my grandpa won't be around anymore. You are still making me laugh though, reminding me of a very funny, awkward and endearing closing prayer. He is so sweet. :)

Love you much!

Angie said...

The last picture made me tear up. It's so great you had such a wonderful Grandpa. It's so great that you will be together again some day.

Amy said...

What a toughing photo of you two. I'm glad you were able to spend those quiet moments with him before he passed. He was a wonderful man.

Anonymous said...
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Roney Family said...

I am so sorry for your loss Ali. May you find peace in the plan of eternal familes. I love that last picture of you holding his hand!

Heather said...

Ali, that makes me cry. I LOVE my grandpa's so so much and miss them everyday. I just wish I treasured every second when they were here. He looks like a pretty incredible man.
Heather

don sessions said...

It was nice you had a chance to visit with him before he passed. I loved his hands too with his big thick fingers.

annie said...

what a beautiful post. how lucky you are to have had such good memories. he sounds like an amazing guy!

SUMMER said...

This man was a stinkin' GEM! My parents miss him too! :(