Great Grandfather

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. This week has flown by. My great grandfather passed away this past weekend. He was 94 years old and had been very sick for the last couple of years. We were not close, so I am really fine. I am sad for my grandmother, because these things are always hard, but this is nothing like when my grandfather died last year. I feel it was his time, that he was ready, and that he is in a much better place.

Now, here is the thing that totally amazes me. When I opened the program at the visitation, it had his parents and children all listed. It then said that he had 43 grandchildren. Some of these were step grandchildren and some were not, but still...forty three. Then it said...wait for it...that he had 73 great grandchildren! On top of that he had eight great-great grandchildren. This just completely blows my mind. As I looked around the packed visitation and funeral I realized that most of these people were related to this man. What an amazing life and legacy. I know very little about my great grandfather. I know he drove until he was 92 (and constantly got speeding tickets...looks like I got something from him), that he nearly drown in a flood, that he called us the little shepherds and my cousin Mason the billy goat...just little things really. Now that he is gone I actually realize what an influence he had on so many people. Seventy three great grandchildren. Wow.