My sweet Grandpa passed away on May 18th. We knew a couple days before he passed that he wasn't going to make it. I was able to call and talk to him on the phone and share with him some of my favorite memories and things he's taught me and tell him how much I love him.
My Grandpa Cummings was a scholar, an amazing bread maker, a Donald Duck impersonator, but most importantly he was a man of God. He served two missions with my Grandma. He was a sealer in the Oakland Temple. He was a Patriarch and was able to give me my Patriarchal Blessing-- which I will treasure even more now. But more than all his church "titles", it was the way he lived his life that reflected the man of God that he was. He lived a life conducive to the spirit. I am so grateful for his example. I hope to in some way life up to the life he lived. I have no doubt that he is having a wonderful reunion in heaven and continuing on the Lord's work.
There is so much more I could say, but I think I'll just leave it at that for now.
Friday we had a family viewing and took turns sharing memories and things we love about grandpa. He talked about our belief that we will see him again, and that families are forever. It was a really special experience.
Saturday was his memorial. I was asked to sing at his funeral and sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul"-- which I was so happy to do. Both my grandma and grandpa always encouraged me to develop my musical talents. They would always ask me to sing whenever we came to visit and were just so encouraging. A couple years ago they gave me their piano-- which was so nice and generous for them. So anyway, I really felt like the nest way I could pay tribute to my grandpa and his influence on my life would be to sing. BUT I was really worried I would just cry through the whole thing. Singing is just emotional for me, and I sometimes have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. Especially at a funeral for my grandpa. I just prayed that I could make it through and honestly just tried not to think about the words and made sure not to look at my family. I made it till the last line of the song, and then got emotional. It wasn't perfect, but I felt good about it.
Monday we buried my grandpa. The cemetery is on a hill in Newcastle. You can see the golden rolling hills and oaks, which is so California. It's beautiful! One of the pallbearers wasn't able to make it last minute, so I got to be a pallbearer, which was also really special to me. We sang "Love at Home" and then my Dad dedicated the grave. So is body is there, but I know for surety that his spirit is on the other side. I am so grateful for that knowledge. I know he will always be close to me and will watch over members of his family. I love you Grandpa Cummings!
My Grandpa Cummings was a scholar, an amazing bread maker, a Donald Duck impersonator, but most importantly he was a man of God. He served two missions with my Grandma. He was a sealer in the Oakland Temple. He was a Patriarch and was able to give me my Patriarchal Blessing-- which I will treasure even more now. But more than all his church "titles", it was the way he lived his life that reflected the man of God that he was. He lived a life conducive to the spirit. I am so grateful for his example. I hope to in some way life up to the life he lived. I have no doubt that he is having a wonderful reunion in heaven and continuing on the Lord's work.
There is so much more I could say, but I think I'll just leave it at that for now.
Friday we had a family viewing and took turns sharing memories and things we love about grandpa. He talked about our belief that we will see him again, and that families are forever. It was a really special experience.
Saturday was his memorial. I was asked to sing at his funeral and sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul"-- which I was so happy to do. Both my grandma and grandpa always encouraged me to develop my musical talents. They would always ask me to sing whenever we came to visit and were just so encouraging. A couple years ago they gave me their piano-- which was so nice and generous for them. So anyway, I really felt like the nest way I could pay tribute to my grandpa and his influence on my life would be to sing. BUT I was really worried I would just cry through the whole thing. Singing is just emotional for me, and I sometimes have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. Especially at a funeral for my grandpa. I just prayed that I could make it through and honestly just tried not to think about the words and made sure not to look at my family. I made it till the last line of the song, and then got emotional. It wasn't perfect, but I felt good about it.
Monday we buried my grandpa. The cemetery is on a hill in Newcastle. You can see the golden rolling hills and oaks, which is so California. It's beautiful! One of the pallbearers wasn't able to make it last minute, so I got to be a pallbearer, which was also really special to me. We sang "Love at Home" and then my Dad dedicated the grave. So is body is there, but I know for surety that his spirit is on the other side. I am so grateful for that knowledge. I know he will always be close to me and will watch over members of his family. I love you Grandpa Cummings!
Me and my bros at Grandpa's grave site
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