Family Reunion

I saw my Grandad last night. I got to talk with him, watch him, listen – and he held me. I have to write, I have to write it down before I lose any more of those memories. I know it was only a dream. I knew it while I was dreaming, at some level of consciousness, that it was only a dream. But it doesn’t matter – because anytime I get to see him that vividly it’s a blessing.

I don’t remember even how or why he was there. But he was, with our family. He was preaching, and not standing in the pulpit preaching. But sitting in a chair right beside my Grandma or sometimes walking around (but very naturally) with his Bible in hand. I don’t remember the specifics of his sermon but instinctively I knew it was from the book of Luke. I just kept thinking, “I can’t believe I get to listen to him talk about our Lord again. Oh how I miss this.”

We had a family reunion or sorts, all of the kids, all of the grandkids, all of the great-grandkids. We were at a water park, but it was small and nobody else was there. It was just us swimming and laughing and being a family. One of my cousins had had another baby girl, “Chloe” (go Kelly, I knew you weren’t done yet! ) and another was pregnant. We sat there talking about the baby kicking and she was placing Grandad’s hand on her belly to feel the newest great-grand kick. The smile on his face as he watched his family was amazing. It was his smile, that bright, glowing, one of a kind smile.

I want to keep writing more because the dream seemed to last all night. I woke up slowly, with a smile, knowing I had spent all night with my Grandad. There was a pervasive sadness that I had to keep battling away throughout the dream, I knew it wouldn’t last long. It was like I knew he was just visiting. I was taking advantage of every minute, trying to soak it all in, trying to make sure I’d remember – but knowing it was temporary. It doesn’t matter though, because I got to see my Grandad and I don’t care that it was in a dream. I got to observe him enjoying his wife, enjoying his family, and talking about the Lord. The things that mattered most to him in this life. Oh, I know where he is now he’d be crazy to choose us – he knows we’ll join him someday. But you know what? Even if it was in a dream, I got a hug. And I’ll take what I can get.

I love you Grandad.