Grandpa Merrill

(from Josh)

This month marked the passing of my Grandpa (Papa) Merrill. He was the kind of man who lit up every room he inhabited with a great big smile and warm hug. He made everyone feel welcome and accepted. He was an eternal optimist, eager to get on the floor and play cars and trucks with the boys (and me once upon a time!), was an avid scrabble player and reader, and was always up for a new adventure. In their 50s, he and Grandma built their own log cabin on 67 acres in central Kentucky. And he always considered himself last -- a fact I noticed when trying to find pictures of him for below - his attention was always on someone else in the photos). 

(from Carolyn)

I met Grandpa Merrill 16 years ago, and since then I can't think of a cross word he ever spoke. He was that perfect combination of gentle and strong, perseverant and compassionate. He experienced more major medical events than anyone I know, yet he always came back. Several years ago, he was out chopping wood when he had a stroke. He finished the wood, then drove the tractor back to the house, where he sat and waited for Grandma to get home so they could rush to the hospital. One Christmas dinner, he passed out, then got back up and they finished dinner, only to learn a week later he'd had a heart attack. His quiet persistence in the face of adversity was inspirational, to say the least. As Josh mentioned, Grandpa was also a great reader, going through several books each week, and it meant he always had something interesting to discuss. I loved hearing his take on Harry Potter or Aerotropolis or The Devil in the White City. Or their latest Bible study. His wisdom and cheerfulness just bubbled out of him.

(from Josh)

Grandpa had his wit and intellect with him until the end. I'm so glad he got to know all three of our boys, and that our boys got to know him. When we visited Grandma after the funeral, Aaron searched the house, and asked "Where'd Papa go?" We know where and are thankful that he is free. But he is still missed.

Preschool Parties

We are blessed with such great teachers for the boys. It was fun seeing that in person as they celebrated the holidays with their friends...

Aaron's teacher told me that for a long time, when she said, "I love you, Aaron" he would respond, "I love my mommy." Such fidelity. Though he also loved his apple-jacks necklace, which I caught Noah and Aaron both eating while he was wearing it.

Noah's class played Christmas Bingo and then sang "The 12 Days of Christmas" with gestures that the boys made look akin to jujitsu. At their age, it's any excuse for a fight. We had to pull them apart at church today, and they're all best buds. This I will never understand about boys.

 

Fortunately, there was no sparring on-stage at Noah's Christmas program. I was a little surprised when he told me he was going to be a tree. Like, a palm tree? by the stable? When I found out the program was based on The Tale of the Three Trees, it made a lot more sense -- as did the songs he was learning: "The Old Rugged Cross" and "The Trees of the Field." It was the first year he was really interested in the program, so I was thrilled his grandparents were able to come see it (as was he)!