Monday, August 7, 2017

Goodbying Grandpa From Awi Land

Monday morning. We are about a day ahead but I woke knowing I will be missing Grandpa’s funeral today. Thank you all for your prayers and kind condolences. 

We ate breakfast and I looked out the window and saw our neighbor bringing his horse in the gate. Jon had talked with him about sometime showing his horse in full Awi costume to our kids. In Awi culture, horses are dressed up beautifully for festivals, celebrations and funerals.  Our family sees them the most when it’s a funeral day and men from all over the zone saddle up to show their respect to the deceased and they clip clop past our house. Zelelam had no idea that today is Grandpa’s funeral and that my girls call that set of Great-Grandparents, “Pony Grandpa and Pony Grandma”. 

DSCF0513

But there he rode, up to our front door.

In Awi culture, men ride the horses, they aren’t for children or women. In our years or living here, my girls have never been offered a chance to ride a horse.

DSCF0518

This morning, it was offered, “Who wants to ride?”

DSCF0522

And I was too in the moment to do anything but smile but as I type this out, it’s with tears streaming as I realize this was God’s provision for me this morning. 

DSCF0527

J got her turn. 

DSCF0541

Eliza rode too.

DSCF0532

Tiger was so interested from afar, not so much in the riding experience.

DSCF0556

DSCF0559

Miss T is too little to be scared. Both babies are still in their pjs, ready to go down for early morning naps. They wake up before the sun. 

DSCF0563

We tried for both babies. Only a good idea in theory.

My cousin, Angie, wrote me an e-mail to share a few more memories of Grandpa. I loved them and here they are for memories’ sake and any cousins who may be reading along.

...I can easily picture his huge fingers tightening the latches on the pony cart or putting on a bridle and hear his 'click' as he talked to the horses


...remember playing mini-golf with him at the holidome, he was always ready for a game with a grandkid


...him singing 'It isn't any trouble just to S-m-i-l-e


...remember how they would give us quarters to play the arcade games at the hotel?  We were talking about that recently and my mom laughed and said that that was a stretch for Grandpa because that was a frivolous way to spend money for him - anything for the grandkids (…or grandma!  Ha, ha! She did have him wrapped around her finger.)

...Juicy-Juice from the can, Grandmas cookies those oatmealish ones, granny mix, sleepovers, the Farming Game (that the 'older' kids played), Judge, Charades on the trampoline, hickory nuts under that big tree by the swing, cracking nuts with Grandpa, sailing little boats in the air conditioning river

...his smile, so genuine

...his quiet tolerance and smirk over us loud, dramatic, giggly girls

...I could keep going, but something I can't put words to is the confident and sure, yet friendly and gentle man he was.  So solid in his faith, so sure in his action

...never any excuse over the circumstances that life had brought him, always pressing forward.  A quiet encourager.  I held him in high esteem, even as a kid.

Thanks, Ang!

DSCF0547

I am taking this unexpected 30 minutes of horse-filled goodies as God’s answer to prayer as I  goodbye Grandpa from Awi land. 

23 comments:

Shari said...

I am praising God through my tears for the wonderful way in which God provided for your family today! He is so faithful!

Joleen said...

Our Heavenly Father is amazing isn't he.

T and M said...

Wow, Amy, that is beautiful. What a sweet gift from someone who knows you so well.
It is also beautiful how you've documented it with words and pictures. A reminder to me to commemorate what God is doing so that I and my family can celebrate and remember His work in our lives and let it remind us of his many great works that He's already done, esp salvation

Unknown said...

Love you Ames. Wish you could be here today. So glad you felt God's provision for you. We are blessed to have had such a great grandfather and blessed beyond words to have such a great God.

Anonymous said...

So thankful God provided for you today!😄Pat

Jon said...

This is precious! Thankful you and your family were able to say goodbye in this special way. Praying for you. Beth Ringger

Kristi said...

What a sweet Father we have!

Janel said...

There are no words for this! God is such a Big God to show up in such small ways in our lives! Praying for you all today! He was a special man for sure!!

Ashley Baner said...

What a beautiful gift!! It is amazing how personal our God is!!

Britni said...

Love you!

Unknown said...

This is just precious! What a Good, Good Father God is❤️

J and M said...

Oh Amy. This is so wonderful and still so hard. Extra prayers today. Love you all so much. And they make darling horse riders. What a faithful friend.. The Holy Spirit sure is powerful.

Nichole said...

Oh my. Tears. And all glory to God, who knows each of us intimately to give us gifts right when we need them.

Jason said...

Love you all - only something God could do - turn grief into a celebration memorial for a Godly grandpa - prayers!

bri said...

This made me tear up. Thankful for the gift you were given today through the horse. You were missed today!

sarah.flyingkites said...

This is amazing. God is so good!!!!!

Unknown said...

THANK YOU for sharing your story & pics with us❗️
Our Lord's, Our King's, miracles, blessings, provisions & gifts are always awesome.
We are PRAYiNG daily for you all❣️
God Bkess Y'all continually always❣️

Kathy said...

Beautiful testimony of the Lord's nearness and faithfulness to you and your family! Thanks for sharing. God is faithful!

Teresa said...

Beautiful! Love and Prayers continue!

Christen Leigh said...

So sweet and cool how God provided this experience. Love you guys-missed you today! ❤️

Tim Sauder said...

Such a precious gift for you today from our beautiful, loving, faithful God.

leah said...

Oh I love this! HE is a sweet Father!

Jessica said...

Thanks so much for sharing! I'm so encouraged and inspired to work to develop qualities like these in myself for my own children and future grandkids. :) Praying for you and your extended family.