In Memory of Grandpa

In the last week, I have been plagued by questions I simply can’t answer. Why did Grandpa die, why couldn’t the doctors save him, why didn’t he leave five minutes later, etc. I don’t know. I never will, but I know Grandpa is in Heaven free of pain, fear, and anger. I know we are left behind in shock, saddened by the loss, and questioning how to move forward. I know he loved all of us, I know he’d want us to be happy and enjoy life in his absence, and I know he believed in a higher power. His faith was steady and without doubt I know he is in God’s kingdom met at the gates by Bella the dog. I know he’d be proud of each of you and I know he looks down on you each day. In life, you will have people who touch your lives. People come and people go, but the good ones leave an imprint on your heart that last forever. They cannot be forgotten. Most people are blessed with two grandfathers. You have been lucky enough to have had three amazing grandpas. I hope you read this someday and know that without a doubt he loved you deeply. From the moment the three of you were born, Grandpa has been there loving you, playing with you, laughing with you, and teaching you. He was at your births (even held Hannah in the NICU) and will meet you again in death.

He loved the color green, soccer, ugly pumpkins, dogs, gardening, Peet’s coffee, history, telling stories, Chinese food, walking around Balboa Island with Granny, and cooking. He adored Granny and his two girls Auntie Mimi and Auntie Johanna. He attended everything that was important to you kids from dance recitals and competitions, to soccer games, preschool performances, school open houses, birthday parties and more. He had dreams of teaching you about wood working and I knew he’d get Jack his first ‘real’ tool set some day. Every year, beginning with Hannah’s first Halloween, he has brought you kids your first pumpkins of the season. He prepared feasts for all holiday gatherings and I feel like I can close my eyes and still see him carrying a cheese platter over to the couch for others to enjoy. He worked humbly and selflessly giving of himself to make others happy. He enjoyed many a sleepover with you kids and always woke early to cook his famous pancakes. It was only fitting that he left behind a bowl of pancake batter for us to eat on our first morning without him.

I hope you kids always feel Grandpa’s love for he is with you. I hope you find peace in the Lord, just as He did, knowing that God has a plan for each of our lives. I hope you share stories of Grandpa with your future cousins and grow up to exemplify some of the traits that Grandpa represented so beautifully…live humbly, love deeply, help others, spread kindness, act gently, give graciously, work hard, and believe in the Lord fiercely for whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Gary Lee Bye (AKA Grandpa)
August 28, 1953-December 31, 2017

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