An Example: Why Grandpop So Easily Loved His Grandson!

Presiding at a funeral for a 79-year-old man, I was struck by the profound and sincere eulogy his 16- year-old Grandson spoke:

“My Grandpop was the greatest.  He always had time for me.  I can’t tell you how many times we went fishing, watched night games at Blue Rocks Baseball Stadium, or cheered on the Flyers whether they won or, more often, lost.

I always knew Grandpop loved me.  When I visited, Grandpop was always ready with a hug no matter how tired.  He loved to use this quote: ‘The measure of our love is to love without measure.’” 

Tommy always knew the depth of his grandfather’s love. It was never absent.  What was beautiful was his grandpop’s presence.  As Tommy grew, Grandpop was always there to cheer Tommy on or hear what was on his mind

Grandpop seized every precious present moment with Tommy and made them wonderful moments of life and love.  These were not constructed moments, but simply everyday spontaneous expressions of love.  

The “moment” was always with them, whether fishing, hugging, sharing life, or retelling baseball moments; and each was memorable in its own distinct way. And what made them special was the love they contained and shared.

Responding to his grandson, grandpop was answering the Lord’s challenge “…to love one another, as I have loved you.” For in loving another person—God is loved too. Somehow grandpop knew that to give to another we have to let go of the “me.”  Grandpop simply and easily put his life on hold every time Tommy came to visit.  Through grandpop’s sacrifice, Tommy learned how to love.

Letting go of “me” to hold another is often difficult.  Who knew the many inconveniences grandpop had to endure?  What appointments he had to cancel?  Or what personal choices he postponed to be attentive to his grandson? 

But grandpop made them because his grandson wanted him, and for grandpop it was the right thing to do.  In these circumstances, grandpop’s present moments were used whole heartedly to love and nurture another.  And God was grateful. Tommy’s grandpop never made grandpop of the year, but in the eyes of Tommy and his family he achieved this and more. 

Remember, God always speaks our language.  On these occasions, his grandson was grandpop’s language. God seized grandpop’s attention through his Tommy’s love.  And all were nurtured- Tommy, grandpop, and God too!

St. Francis de Sales wrote: “Great opportunities to praise God happen infrequently but turning small acts into great acts of praise happen all the time.” 

Painting by Nicole Roggeman