Memorial to Grandpa Virgil

As alot of you know my grandpa Virgil has not been well for the last several months. On November 30, 2007 Grpa peacefully went to heaven to be with his Savior. We know he is rejoicing there, pain free and spending time with his beloved grandsons, Larry and Tony and his grandchildren that died in infancy. We will miss him everyday as hse was such an important part of who we are.
Virgil Frances Jennings, passed away at his home surrounded by his family who lovingly took care of him in his last days. We honored him by carrying out his wishes of wanting to be at home. On Tuesday before he passed away on Friday his family was called in as his body was shutting down. Several of us grandkids "moved in" and stayed to help care for him with the wonderful assistance of our local Hospice. We just took over the house and let Grma spend her time with Grpa. There were kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great grandkids in and out all times of the day and night. My uncle Donnie said one night when he left there was 21 cars there. We all got to spend time not only with Grpa but with each other, just like our grandparents had always showed us through example. It was a very blessed time for us as a family. Grpa loved every minute of it I am sure. He was always happiest when his family was around and eating! That was one of his things..making sure we weren't hungry and if we were he wanted us to eat. Our grandparents have always been the cornstone of our family and have taught all of us the important lessons in life.......hugs and kisses and how to say I love you. They taught us the importance of family and friends, fun and a sense of humor, hospitality and most important unconditional love. Our family got to spend many hours talking about the fun we had a their house, about the things that happened and the memories that we will all carry with us.
I think our family honored Grpa in the best way we knew by doing what he would have done for us...........everything.
Grandpa was laid to rest on Monday December 3, 2007 at the Merriam Cemetary in Bethany. Sam did a wonderful job in taking care of Grpa. He looked so good and was respectfully laid to rest in his overalls and western shirt. Grandma requested that all of us be there the day the arrangements were made. He had a very fitting service where CF Rainey talked about Grpa and read the memories that we had shared through out the years. Richard Wonsettler spoke about how Grpa had accepted Christ a few years ago and shared that Grpa would want us all to know him also. Brother Kyle Bevelin said a prayer. The music was very fitting also, Grandma asked for the song Just beyond the moon. Brian asked for Randy Travis' I thought he walked on water, which was written for grpa I am sure. Grandpa told me so was played also. We showed DVD's of the great and great great grandkids that Grpa so loved. The grandsons had the honor of carrying Grpa to his final resting place. He was lead by three of his great grandson (in uniform) who are serving their country in the National Guard.
Even though our Grandpa is not physically with us he is and always will be with us in spirit. In Grpa's final days with us we were able to give back to him some of what he has taught us. In one way or another all of us had gotten to do something for him. We know he was content in these final days as he was surrounded by all of us. And even though it was a sad time it was a happy time, as we got to spend time togher and show the love for not only Grandpa and Grandma but for each other. Grpa's final wishes were met, he got to be home, he was lovingly cared for and he went to heaven with a content heart knowing that he was leaving us in Grma's capable hands to carry on the legacy they begun. And we will always remember RRRRRRRRRRRR.
(this is something that grpa had done to all of us.)
And as I end this tribute to my Grpa, it also reminds me of my Grandpa Rinehart, who passed away several years ago. Not to many people can say "what blessings I have had in having two loving Grandfathers!"