Photo By: Erin Fitts-Brower

In my Bible, there is a special bookmark. It carries my grandpa’s face, his obituary on one side, and a poem I wrote for him after he passed on the other. Every time I open my Bible, I see that bookmark and I think of him. His smile, his sweetness, his laughter and his pranks, I remember them so fondly. I was a big grandpa’s girl, we had a special bond and he spoiled me. Though he is gone, his love still remains inside of my heart and inside of my mind, where memories of him replay so freely. He passed away several years ago. Though he would get quite the grin if he saw my oldest son, for he looks so much like his great grandpa. Which is special because when I look at my son, I see glimpses of him too. Grandpa was a veteran and fought in WW2, even almost dyeing in war. Though we didn’t talk about those years, they were hard for him, naturally. Though I was always proud of him. But we just found joy in adventures that were filled with days at the park, vacations, shopping with grandma, going out to eat and just enjoying each other’s company. Thinking back, I remember we always both ordered raspberry iced tea when we went out to eat. I guess I am sharing this with you friend, because grief is hard, but where there was love there are memories that we will always have etched into our hearts. Just another reason why love is such a beautiful thing. God knows that losing a loved one is so hard and so very difficult. Though He also gave us a heart that holds onto love and a mind that carries memories. If you are grieving today friend, go to God in prayer and ask Him to comfort you, He always will. Then take a breath and think of all the joy that loved one gave. Reminiscence over all the beauty they left to hold onto, until you are with them again someday. God didn’t say grief was easy, though He did promise to be with us, always. For added kindness, He gave us memories. I think of my grandpa, and despite how I miss him, I can still smile. For I have parts of him that I still carry and I know someday, I will see him again.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Memories that remain

Psalm 34:18 NIV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Philippians 1:3 NIV

I thank my God every time I remember you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.