Saying Goodbye . . .

My grandfather has always been one constant in my ever changing life.

He was just always there.

Plowing in his field, planting his watermelons and cantaloupes and peanuts.

Sitting quietly on his couch reading the paper or the Reader's Digest, or one of his many mystery novels.

Sitting quietly at the end of the back pew, beside the aisle, next to my momma.

Never without his cowboy hat or his boots.

I was never close to him.  I guess in some ways I'm as responsible for that as anyone.  

We just didn't have that much in common.  

But he loved me as only a grandfather can love his granddaughter.

How do I know?

Because of the moments we spent together.

Him chuckling at me or, later, my children.

Sitting with him in the cab of the tractor as he circled the peanut field.

Sitting across his kitchen table from him listening to him talk about his childhood as I interviewed him for a history project.

Having him request a song or two when I was performing.

Having him ask me to sing at my grandmother's funeral, and the touch of his hand on my shoulder to comfort me that day.

And the last time I saw him, he held my hand the whole time and when I left he uttered 

"I love you, girl."

Yes, I know he did.

I will miss my grandfather.  My daughter will surly miss him, she was "great-grandpa's" girl.  And my son, only 2, will often ask "Where's Grandpa?" 

But I take great comfort in knowing that he will be safe and sound in Jesus' arms. 

I rejoice in the fact that he is in the place where he will never be sick, or in pain again.  

There will only be peace, serenity, joy, love, and the 

Glory of the Father.

10 years . . .

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/081208dnmetdorsey.43a6cf8.html

This is a link to an article about a man who impacted my life and the lives of others 10 years ago in Dallas.

He is a brutal madman.
He is a killer and a taker of innocence.
He knows what he has done to dozens, and does not care.

One of the victims they speak of in the article was a dear friend to me. I dated him off and on for years in high school, and even when we weren't together he was one of my very best friends. I mourned for him for several years before getting on with my life, and I have close friends that still have a hard time letting go.

Brad was an amazing person. He had this uncanny ability to make you feel better when you were down. I remember when he passed, my first thought was, "who's going to make me laugh now?".

Leon Dorsey stole that from me. He stole that from a lot of people.

I remember the funeral clearly. Brad's mom was in the front row, she looked numb. When they began to lower his casket into the ground, Aimee (a dear childhood friend) collapesed. They played his favorite music - we all sat together and sang with it.

The thing that impacted me the most then, and still does now, is the fact that the last time Brad and I spoke on the phone, we had an argument. A week later, I called to talk to him, and his girlfriend at the time answered. She wouldn't let me speak to him. Two weeks later, I was devastated.

This brings to mind an interesting thought. If you are not a supporter of the death penalty, you should probably stop reading now.

Leon Dorsey is getting his final judgement. He was an evil man - the article clearly states that through his actions and his own words. He felt no remorse. He didn't kill for money, or for need. He killed for the sheer sick enjoyment of the kill. When he reaches heaven, he will be turned away. He never allowed Christ to touch his heart. I pray that he finds Christ today. That some epiphany washes over him and he realizes the people he hurt were innocent. I pray that he asks for forgiveness for his sins. I pray that he finds the error in his ways and repents. I don't think any of these prayers will be answered.

Does he deserve to die? That's really not my judgement call. The Bible says "an eye for an eye". Well, by that law, God's will is being fulfilled. I am glad he is being executed. That is so horrible for me to say, I know, but if you felt what I felt. If you went throught what the families have gone through . . . I am glad he will never be allowed to hurt another person again. I wish I felt differently. I wish I could say "oh life in prison is enough. That way he can sit and think about it until he dies an old man". But you see, he won't sit and think about it. He truly doesn't care. So for that reason, I am glad.

It's been 10 years coming.