An athlete.
Upon his high school graduation he had lettered in Varsity sports 17 times.
My grandfather loved to ride his bike around town.. even when he could no longer remember his way back home. He loved to spend his time at the cabin at Bass Lake; his most cherished memories were made during the 44 years that he owned that cabin. He would walk down to the Pines every morning and buy an apple fritter and when we were there he'd take us with him. We'd always venutre into the Corner Store and he'd buy us a little trinket. He had an obsession with hats; they lined the beams of the cabin and hung from the walls. He loved getting letters. If you wrote him one, he'd always write you back and sometimes include a dollar or two. He'd send newspaper clippings of things he knew we would like. No matter what it took, he'd be at mass every Sunday. He loved going to instrumental concerts even if it meant staying up way later than his bed time. And anytime he heard that there would be one in town, he got a ticket. The last one I remember him going to was a violinist and he was so excited that one of his friends was going to be there, too. He'd be in the living room, with headset on, news on the t.v., and be fast asleep in his old leather chair. When you were with him he'd tell you stories of his younger days.. mainly about sports and how good he was. He loved to tell you about his accomplishments.
Poppy was a selfless giver, a proud Yugoslavian, and a lover of sweets.
But most importantly, a son of the King.
And for that very reason, the tears being shed today are not ones of sadness but of rejoicing!
I'm so blessed and grateful to have been able to spend his last moments with him early this morning.. He wanted to go, he was ready to go, but he fought hard and hung on until he knew we were there with him.. God took him at just the right time and I couldn't be more grateful for the peace that has flooded me ever since. God is good, so so good.
Today you join your brother and parents in a place where there is no pain. Poppy, no more suffering! I smile as I think of you throwing around that football with Uncle Nick (a former Oakland Raider), playing a ukelele with your dad and brother while your mom sings along..
While our hearts hurt, we know that you're in a much better place.
I wish I had gotten to see you more, and when I did get to see you I wish that I'd spent more time with you.. And I wish I had told you this more often... I love you....
Love,
"Legs"
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
NIV- So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Message-This image of planting a dead seed and raising a live plant is a mere sketch at best, but perhaps it will help in approaching the mystery of the resurrection body—but only if you keep in mind that when we're raised, we're raised for good, alive forever! The corpse that's planted is no beauty, but when it's raised, it's glorious. Put in the ground weak, it comes up powerful. The seed sown is natural; the seed grown is supernatural—same seed, same body, but what a difference from when it goes down in physical mortality to when it is raised up in spiritual immortality!
1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
