A part of me is gone

For those of you not in the Campbell family and thus have no idea, my Grandpa Campbell died today. Living so far away I had no idea that he was not doing so hot. Before today I always thought that people should just let "old" people go peacefully to the other side and not be sad, but be glad for them. Now that death is this personal I know why everyone has such a hard time with letting loved ones go. It is not because we don't think they are better off where they are now, it is because we are afraid of the pain that comes to us when they are gone. The last time I saw my grandpa was at my brother's wedding reception the end of August and for the first time in my whole life he looked old. My Grandpa has always been such a strong man and he always seemed to me as the one being that would never die because he was too stubborn and too strong for that.

Things that I remember about my Grandpa..........One time at a family reunion in Idaho in 1995 or so Jared, my brother, was trying to see how many grapes he could fit in his mouth. Grandpa came up and smacked him on the back of the head for being so “childish.” Jared in turn nearly choked and Grandpa’s point was proven. Another time was when Grandma & Grandpa were watching us kids while my parents went on a well deserved vacation. I came home from school with my friend Lori. I really wanted to go to Lori’s house, but when I asked Grandpa he insisted that I clean my room first. He did not back down even with all my begging and pleading, and as Lori will attest he gave me a 30 minute lecture on why I should clean my room. To this day I cannot tell you what he said other than it had something to do with the scriptures, but I do know that I have learned the importance of keeping a clean room and now that I have a family of my own I understand why I need to keep a clean home. I remember one time when Grandpa and Grandma were spending a few nights at our house, I don’t remember why, but I remember that they slept in my room because it was the only one upstairs. I remember going into my room while Grandma & Grandpa were just getting into bed (I had to get something so I would not wake them up in the morning). When I walked in I remember a great wave of shock come over me as I looked on the ground about 2 feet from the bed and saw my grandpa’s leg standing there. I always knew he had a wooden leg, I just never saw it off before. A very strange sight to say the least. I remember a day within the last year or so that my little family went over to visit with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandpa was confined to Grandma’s wheelchair because his wooden leg was being worked on. But that did not stop Grandpa from being “GRANDPA.” He teased, tickled and chased my kids all around. They had so much fun. It was great to see that some things don’t change.

Things I have learned from my Grandpa.........How to love and be loved. He loves my Grandma like I never knew someone could be loved. He always said he was just 19 and holding because he found Grandma when he was 19 and has been holding her ever since. I have learned we hug to the left so it is "heart to heart." I have learned to keep things in order. I have learned a love for the gospel and that through the gospel all problems can be solved. I have learned to laugh.

Thank you Grandpa for teaching with love and patients. Thank you for the teasing and tickling and the great love you have given over the years. Thank you for the crazy sounds you always made. Thank you for putting a smile on my face the way no one else could. Thank you for being my GRANDPA.

PS Sorry about the length of this post. Most of this probably does not make sense, but it is needed for me. Thanks Dad for the picture. It is perfect!!!!