God be with you til we meet again. (Remembering Grandpa Beanie)

I didn't get to know Grandpa Beanie for very long, but I am so thankful for the time I got to know this fantastic man. I remember when I first met him, he was so kind, and gave me a big hug instead of the handshake I was expecting. It was Thanksgiving, 2008, and he immediately asked Bubba when our wedding would be. We hadn't even started dating yet.

Christmas that year I felt almost out of place at the family Christmas party, but Grandpa told me to come sit by him and Grandma Trudy. They introduced me to Bubba's aunts, uncles and cousins, and again, Grandpa asked when our wedding would be. I will never forget how he laughed at my reaction to that question.

Despite Grandpa's health declining quickly, Grandpa was strong and kept his family together. He joked with the doctors and nurses, kept the family on their toes and made us smile and laugh at every chance he got. He turned every stressful or sad moment into a beautiful and pleasant one. 

Grandpa Beanie kept strong and made sure to attend almost every family function and every party he could. He was there for every Easter, 4th of July BBQ, Fathers Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the family parties in between. He loved to be around his family, and as more great-grandbabies were born, he had more hugs to give and smiles to share.

We visited Grandma and Grandpa when Brayden was a day old. They weren't able to come visit us in the hospital, and wanted to meet their great-grandson. We took him over to meet him and Grandpa snuggled Brayden for nearly an hour and a half, refusing to give Grandma a turn to snuggle him while we were there. That was only the start of Brayden being Grandpa Beanie's boy.

As Grandpa's health declined more, Brayden's love for him grew. He loved to snuggle Grandpa, talk to him, and even share laughs. Our little dude had plenty of love to give to Grandpa openly, while poor Grandma has to work to get a hug or a snuggle from him. Even in the last few visits we took him to see Grandpa, Brayden would hug his legs, or go into his room to tell him good night. From a 20-month-old, that is some serious loving. 

On Friday, Nov 1st, Grandpa Beanie passed away. Thankfully, he passed away surrounded by his family, who was with him for days up until his passing. While we will miss him dearly, and love him so much, we know that heaven gained a great angel and that thanks to Heavenly Father's plan, we will see him again. In the meantime, we have one final thing to say to Grandpa;

God be with you, til we meet again.