Legacy

My last remaining grandparent went to be with the Lord last Saturday. He was my boys' only great grandparent, and I'm so glad Grandpa got to meet them. My Grandpa had a beautiful, full life of 100 years! We held a Celebration of Life service this last week, and here's what I shared with those in attendance:
My grandfather didn’t leave behind great riches or land. His wants were simple: some nice music, his Bible, a piece of sweet bread and beans and rice. His legacy is far greater than any earthly possession though. It is a rich legacy of simple moments that when woven together create a beautiful tapestry of life.
I often found my grandfather reading God’s word or praying. He often pointed to the heavens above and declared the goodness of God. I know he walked with Jesus. He tied God’s word around his neck and taught them to his daughter, talked about them when he sat at home and when he walked along the road. He spoke of the things of God when he lied down and when he got up. He even wrote them upon the doorframes of his home. That’s legacy!
Because my grandparents valued education, they taught me piano, typing and Spanish. Legacy.
Because my grandpa loved to eat, he shared his orange and carrot “eye juice” recipe and taught us how to make his favorite fresh from the griddle corn tortillas. Legacy!
Because my grandpa loved to surprise us, he always had caramel candies stowed away in the glove box of his car. Whenever we got in the car, we knew we’d get a sweet treat. Legacy.
Because my grandpa enjoyed music and dance, he would turn up the volume and dance encouraging us to baile, baile. Legacy.
Because my grandfather was proud of who he was and where he was from, he shared his country with us on the one and only trip we got to take with him to Costa Rica. Legacy.
Looking back over all these things, I see a wonderful heritage and a full life. All of these things, in one form or another, I have been able to share and pass on to my own children. They love grandpa’s eye juice and dancing. They’ve been on virtual tours of Costa Rica and love getting surprises. But more than these things, they have been introduced to Jesus. We talk about him when we sit at home and when we walk along the road, when we lie down and when we get up.
A little bit of my grandfather will live on in me through these wonderful moments he left behind, and a little bit of my grandfather will live on in my children, too. Legacy.
Thank you grandpa, for a wonderful legacy of life.