At 5:15 this morning my Grandpa went on to Heaven to be forever with his God.  Upon receiving the news of his passing I was immediately filled with Joy and Praise.  

"Praise God!"  I wrote in a letter to my Dad.

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God for His goodness!

And Praise Him that Grandpa is living RIGHT NOW exactly what we profess we believe!"

As I held Grandpa's hand at the hospital yesterday and stroked his 97 year old head I spoke loudly in his ear, "I love you Grandpa!  I love you so much!  You are such a good Grandpa!"  We shared the gift of a very full relationship, my Grandpa and me.  Nothing was left wanting.  Good love had been poured out and all that remains now is gratitude.  

Here we are exactly 2 years ago to the day.  He was 95.

Up until this past year George Edward Speake Sr. lived with great zest and vigor.  I recall in my earliest memories Grandpa exclaiming, "Red hot, kid! Red hot!" And that's the way he rolled until just recently.  As his body began to give up its strength and Grandpa's mind started to lose its sharp abilities I watched him grow sad.  "Red hot, kid!" on this side of eternity gave way to a longing for Heaven.

And so this morning, tears of Joy and Praise and Gratitude are streaming down my checks.  I've had a full 38 years of having been loved and prayed for and encouraged by this man, and now he's encouraging my faith yet again by LIVING WHAT I BELIEVE!  Right this moment.

As I walked out of his room yesterday to drive home a nurse came running after me exclaiming, "He said, 'Goodbye Sweetheart'."  O my heart!  It's just what Grandpa always said as I left him until our next visit.  A precious gift from a man who hadn't spoken for two full days. 

As a Homeschooling family I have the freedom to cancel school. I've done that today. I will let the children play as I take great big chunks of time to be quiet in my heart and thank the Lord for His goodness to our family.

Here's the Christmas talk I gave at a church 2 years ago about the Legacy of Faith my Grandpa has given me.  Praising God for His goodness to Grandpa and to me today!

How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended.

—George Whitefield

I love this above quote, and yet I don't imagine Grandpa literally resting today!  Spiritually at rest, O yes!  But Grandpa's always been on the move.  I imagine him today riding his "put-put" (aka motorbike) through a vast and lush field of green.