The past couple of months have been an emotional roller coaster. First Paul and I lost our little one with a miscarriage and the sorrow and grief that goes with that. Then on Father’s Day my dear sweet Grandfather walked through the veil to eternity to meet his sweetheart. I am sure they had a sweet reunion and then were off to do the will of the Father. 

His loss on the side of the veil is great. He has left a legacy of Christlike service and discipleship. He was very much, like grandma my friend and confident in this life. He and grandma are the ones that taught me the gospel, who showed me kindness and love unwavering, and made sure I had a safe place to go when the storms of life got too hard. 

When I met my grandpa back in ‘91 for what felt like the first time as we rolled in from our trip from Wisconsin I knew that we were going to be fast friends. I looked up to him in so many ways. I was five going on six and he was a giant among men, at least in my eyes. I think he was just finishing up with the tractor at the time it would’ve been June so he would’ve been getting ready the fields and garden. He had recently retired from teaching music and was enjoying retirement with grandma. 

They were also taking care of Granny Hamblin who was almost 89. She loved to give me kisses and hugs as I recall. Within the year of us moving to Idaho, she passed away. Her funeral was the first one I had been to. I remember what I thought was a green dress on, but come to find out it was temple clothes. As a six year old girl I was dead set on helping carry the casket all the way to the cemetery, but they took me up to the nursery and by the time I came down she was gone and it was time to go. I was so mad they didn’t let me help. 

Grandpa Marcum was quick to show me around and teach me all he could. I noticed there was a drastic difference between sets of grandparents in how they showed love and spoke to me. The spirit of Christ was one major difference. My dad’s parents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my mom’s parents and stepdad are not. All five of my grandparents were good people, but this light that was in my dad’s parents’ eyes was missing from my mom’s parents’ eyes. 

My dad’s parents are much of the reason I am the way I am today. They took the time to teach and show me how to follow Christ even if they didn’t realize they were through their quiet examples of service, scripture study, prayer, and following Christ. They were not boastful, rather they disliked any attention and recognition. They would rather just do good continually without the praise of man, but do it all for the Lord. They had an eternal perspective and goal in mind.

Grandpa Marcum was and is a valiant man who serves the Lord continually, always seeking to do a good turn. His motto has always been “because I have been given much, have I done any good, I too must give…” He is always seeking and willing to do whatever the Lord would have him do. He has sought the Lord daily and to share the good news of the gospel with all that would listen. He showed me how to do this same. 

They showed me how to live after the manner of happiness and follow Jesus. I am grateful for their testimony and examples of great faith. To go and do a good turn daily. To serve and love so freely without question. So have we done any good in the world today, have we helped those in need, be grateful for what we have, and help others along our way when we can. I hope to live up to this and be a valiant daughter, disciple, friend, wife, and mother…

Grandpa struggled to ask for help, he always tried to do it all on his own. My dad is much the same way. So grateful for those who have stepped and helped them when they needed them the most. Grateful for the people who they have touched and then have touched my life. 

Grandpa’s influence has been felt by so many in the Boy Scouts and throughout Teton Valley in various capacities. It was amazing too see the lives he had touched as scouts, music students, men, women, and children come through the line during the viewing and tell of the great impact Grandpa had had on their lives over the years. He is a good honorable man. He loved freely and served willingly. He taught in a way that impacted so many. I miss him so much. 

I will miss having a safe haven at Grandpa’s house. I will miss having him to talk to. I will miss his booming laugh. I will miss his bear hugs. I will miss his Dutchoven Potatoes. I will miss his singing. I will miss his trumpet playing. I will miss him sharing his testimony and stories. I will miss his unconditional love. I will miss reading scriptures with him. The list goes on…

I am grateful for the plan of happiness that God has given us. I am grateful for the sealing power that has been restored so that I can be sealed to my family. If I live according to God’s will I will see my grandparents again and my children who I am hoping were just too pure to stay any longer than they needed. I will raise them in the next life. The promises of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are so great, I am feeling so blessed. Despite the sadness I know in who I can trust, Jesus Christ is mindful of me. I am not alone. Having an eternal perspective helps in the healing process.

I will try to continue to live after the manner of happiness in the Lord and do good where I can as I share my gifts and talents, love and serve, and follow the Lord.