Like the time he built us a tree house in the backyard. Never mind that they already have a HUGE (and seriously it's HUGE) playhouse and wooden swing out back, we wanted more of the Huck Fin type tree house, you know, in a tree and all rickety and dangerous? You know the type. Grandpa said he would think about it after he was done with his errands he needed to run. So we played happily in the yard until he got home, all the while perfecting our argument as to why a second tree house was needed. We heard the car pull up in the driveway, then the side gate open, around the corner came Grandpa with a load of 2x4's to build us our tree house. The man is the most loving and kind man I have ever known and only comes in second behind my Daddy. And it's a pretty close second.
As I was going through pictures to try to find any pictures I might have of Grandpa for his memory book I thought back on all the fun times we had with Grandpa. I remember funny times, like at my cousin Kelson's wedding while we were all waiting in the sealing room at the Salt Lake Temple, Grandma and He had a rather loud discussion on temple voices... they don't have the best of hearing when it comes to earthly matters, but when it comes to spiritual hearing they are fine tuned and can hear the smallest of whispers.
When I thought of this funny time, I realized something I never had before. My Grandparents have influenced my testimony more than I ever knew. They are the most giving, honest and loving people you will ever meet. They open their homes and arms to perfect strangers. If you need anything, you bet you can count on Grandma and Grandpa to be there for you, whether they know you or not.
I thought of how much I will, one day, hopefully in the distant future, miss them calling me to sing Happy Birthday. They never miss a birthday. They call each family member as well as each and every member of their ward ON their birthday. I have never, not once, had a late birthday call from Grandma and Grandpa. It is something I have become quite fond of. And it's not just me, he calls Duc, and each of the kids on their birthday's as well. And you know you can count on a birthday card in the mail from them as well. Without fail.
I know I kind of talk of Grandma and Grandpa as one, but you just don't have one without the other. They may get snippy with each other at times, but who wouldn't after 60 (ish) years of marriage! They are clearly still in love. What a wonderful example of devotion they are.
I thought back on all the fun things Grandpa made for us grandkids. He still loves working with wood and will do so whenever he's given the chance. He built my sister and I a HUGE Barbie house with stairs and levels and balcony's and all. Emily's girls still enjoy it today. Grandpa was born in a time when things were made to last, and it shows. The tree house of course, a t-shirt spinner (remember those awesome 90's paint spun t-shirts?) a soda bottle water rocket and countless other things.
As I look back at all the fun memories with Grandpa, I cling to each one. I will cherish each one with tenderness and love because, after all, that has been his example to me.
These are the few pics I could track down, I know I have more but I think they are on the other external hard drive and I'm not sure where that is located at the present time, and so we have the four most recent pictures of our fun Grandpa...
Jared and Hailey's Wedding
Grandpa at Halloween, he had the kids pretty worried for a bit...
Grandpa Dale with my cousin Sarah
Thank you for all the wonderful memories Grandpa Dale!
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