Thankful...

...This morning I am thankful. I am thankful for all the veterans, both present and past, who have sacrificed to make our country, our world a better safer place. My sweet Granddaddy was in the navy, and I shudder as I look at pictures of him at such a frighteningly young age in that uniform and imagine how scared he must have been as they fought in the second World War. I never heard him talk about it. I can only imagine why.

Kyle's Grandpa was an Army man. So was his identical twin brother. I still remember hearing him laugh as he told of how upset his wife would get when she ran out to greet the soldier coming home toward the house, only to be devastated when she realized it wasn't her beloved....but his twin brother. (I am having visions of two other twin pranksters I know...Lord help her!) I am thankful that within my husband's family there is a strong sense of humor, even if often they are laughing at themselves or at one another (in love, of course!).

I am so very thankful that Grandpa Smith passed away in such a peaceful manner in the wee hours of the night last night, surrounded by family. His youngest daughter holding his hand as he passed from this earth to the promised land.

I am thankful that by now he is reunited with his Mattie Lou, with that twin prankster of a brother, and that He has met his savior face to face. I know that he will love on my angel babies the same way he loved on my earthly babies. I know they will get as big a kick out of his contagious laugh/giggle that I always have. We will surely miss that laugh.

You will be missed Grandpa Smith. Thank you for treating me as one of your own. Carter knew that last night you were probably going to heaven to be with Jesus and he waited up, watching you closely. I hope you heard the words he said to you. After you had been gone for a while he climbed up into my lap, pointed to your body and said, "Mom, when Grandpa Smish(that's how he says Smith) going to heaven with Jesus?" I said, "He's already gone, baby." He didn't understand fully, but he was satisfied and finally...hours after his bedtime, fell asleep in my lap.

Until we meet again,.......