Goodbye, Grandpa

My grandpa passed away this week. I know it is a pretty generalized statement to say "I don't deal well with death," but I guess I want to think that it is somehow different for me than it is for other people - especially people in my family. They are very outwardly emotional, and I just can't do that. When in the midst of trial, I go to work - making sure everyone is taken care of, then I go home and cry. For my grandfather, I really only cried once, and that was simply because I wished that I had gotten to know this amazing man better and had more conversations with him. He was in very bad health, and his life had pretty much been miserable over the past several years. Both my grandma and grandpa have had Alzheimer's for quite a while now, and my Uncle said something at the funeral that really made me smile - "at least soon grandma and grandpa will be able to have a meaningful conversation again and really know what each other is talking about when they are in heaven." I obviously do not know what heaven will be like, but I at least know that they will recognize each other, and be able to shout praises to God together - and that is always what they did best here before they were both so sick. Below is what the family wrote about Grandpa (a very short synopsis!). They left something special out - not only did he have 5 children, 10 grandchildren (which I am a part of), and 19 great grandchildren - he also had several great-great-grandchildren. I honestly hope that I am able to experience that in my lifetime!

FAULKNOR, REVEREND AUTHER LEE JACKSBORO - Reverend Faulknor was welcomed by his Lord and Savior on Tuesday April 15, 2008. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas on August 14, 1917 to Charlie and Effie Faulknor. He married his sweetheart Virgie Elizabeth Lawson on June 14, 1939. Auther surrendered to the ministry in August of 1954. His prayer to God was "Let me tell the gospel story one more time." Through his ministry he preached in 108 churches in six states. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Virgie Elizabeth Lawson Faulknor; their five children Doris Ogle of Jacksboro, Texas; Mary Ogle of New Braunfels, Texas, Margaret Myers of Rockwall, Texas; Raymond Faulknor of Kyle, Texas and Martha Locke of Dallas, Texas; ten grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimers Association, PO Box 9709, Ft. Worth, Texas 76147. Friends and family are welcome to a time of remembrance at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro, Texas from 4-5 pm and 6-7 pm on Wednesday April 16, 2008. Graveside services and interment will be held 2 pm Thursday April 17, 2008 at the Itasca Cemetery in Itasca, Texas. Online tributes may be made at www.cokerfuneral.com Coker Funeral Home Jacksboro, TX940-567-3778