A Tribute to My Great-Grandfather

My great-grandfather, William Lassey, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. It was his 97th birthday. Ninety-seven years...that's a pretty long time to live on this planet. And he sure lived a full life. My great-grandpa Lassey was one of those people who, whenever you looked at him, just made you smile. Even now, when I see a recent picture of him on the family blog my grandfather (who is also named William Lassey, with middle initial R.) keeps up, with his eyes sunken in and his face wrinkled, I can't help but smile. It's so easy to see past the old age to the love and joy that lie within, and that have been growing for all of those 97 years. I didn't get to see my Grandpa Lassey very often, and I didn't know him nearly as well as his other great-grandchildren did, but I still knew him. And that, in itself, is a blessing.

When we went to his farm a couple of weeks ago, we came in the house and when I went up to him and held his hand, he said, "Your hand is cold." He didn't even know who I was, I'm sure, but he took the time to let me know that he could tell that my hands were cold. Later, too, I remember him looking around the room and saying, "Everyone's wearing a different color of socks." He said it with a chuckle, and a smile. I found myself just wanting to look at him the whole time I was there, to fill myself with the spirit of this 97 year old man who I am related to. I admire him, and I'm proud of him, too. I still can't believe he's gone. It probably won't hit me until we go back to the farm and I see his empty armchair. But I'm happy for him. I'm so, so happy for him, that he got to live such a full, wonderful, joyful life. And I'm thankful to him, too, because he reminded me to enjoy every little moment that life has to offer. So thank you, Grandpa Lassey, and I love you.