{Real Talk}: Cast All Your Burdens Onto Him

This week has been extremely difficult for me. I had the experience again where you make a phone call and can immediately tell that something is wrong. That phone call was just a regular check in with my Grandpa. He did not sound right. Afterwards, I went and talked to Madi to let him know that we needed to change our travel plans from going to see our parents in Florida to going to Michigan to see my Grandpa Juola. We already had the vacation time. We  hadn't even bought our tickets to Disney for the week. I think if that doesn't show how God was over the situation, nothing does because anyone who knows me knows that I plan everything WAY in advance. We ended up changing our travel plans as he started declining quicker and was readmitted to the hospital. I made it to Michigan at 3am on Saturday morning and was alone with him when he passed away at 2am on Sunday morning. I cherished every minute with him that I had. 

My Grandpa was a special person. You couldn't find anyone more kind of selfless in the world. He cared about every person and took time to always ask "how are you doing?" and genuinely wanted to know, not just to make conversation. His mind was sharp even until the end, which I am so grateful for. He could recall dates or events from his mind like they were five minutes ago. The math teacher in him was always counting down to something like when he would see us again, or when he was going back down to Florida. He was the best husband ever. The true definition of "in sickness and in health". He took such good care of my Grandma for so long before she passed away from Parkinson's disease. And to me, the most important thing, he was the best witness of his faith in God. I have no doubt about where he's at right now and that brings me so much peace. 

I am going to miss him so much. I will miss spending time with him every summer. Sailing on the lake and playing beach croquet. Hiking to Misery Inn. Playing word games. Eating ice cream. Watching tennis. Making bonfires. Just spending hours talking and catching up. 

I love him more than I can write in this post. And he always said "you don't have to tell me, I know you love me and I know you know that I love you." and I did know that. 

So I hope you're enjoying spending time with Grandma today. I hope you're playing sixteen games a day of tennis, and eating lots of vanilla ice cream and chocolate covered cherries, playing beach croquet or sailing on the lake. The world won't be the same without you, and neither will I. 

If anyone reading this knew my Grandpa and wants to help us celebrate his life, please join us at 10am with service starting at 12pm on Tuesday, October 24th at Word of Life Baptist Church in Alpena Michigan. If you can't make it, please share any memories you had with him.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength and my portion forever"- Psalm 73:26