The Funeral

The funeral was beautiful with every detail just as Grandpa would have wanted it. Actually, Grandpa planned every detail of his funeral from the obituary (read it here), to the casket and the speakers at his memorial service. My favorite part was hearing the stories Uncle Andy, Aunt Paula and my mom told as part of their talks at the memorial service.

This poem that appeared on the back of the program (which was probably designed by grandpa) reminds me of Grandpa’s outlook on life. A note explains this poem, from the Boy Scout Handbook, had been an inspiration to Grandpa since he was 12 years old.

Equipment

Figure it out yourself, my lad.
You’ve all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say “I can.”

Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes;
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you’ve all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if only you will,
You’re well equipped for what fight you choose.
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had.
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say “I can.”

Grandma M with Mom, Dad and Allyson

Jason, Andrew, Matt, Dan, (funeral director guy on the end), Baxter, Derek, Nate and Aaron