A Wonderful Time

A strong hand at my waist guides me effortlessly as we glide around an open-air environment. Our dance is so easy. It feels as though we are floating, our feet never touching the ground. I can feel the lightest layers of periwinkle chiffon swirling around and behind me and somehow I manage to be graceful enough never to trip.

My partner is an indescribably handsome stranger. Young, dark haired, gentle eyes and equally gentle hands that guide me with a strength that is not forceful, but comforting. My heart feels so full; I never want this moment to end! Just as the thought enters my mind, I hear him say, “I have to go.”

“I don’t want you to,” I say calmly, knowing this parting was inevitable.

“I know. But didn’t we have a wonderful time? What a wonderful time we have had.” I hear the words; but I no longer see the man.

“He’s gone. Your Aunt just called.” My mother’s voice breaks into the room.

“OK,” I say. I roll to my side, pull the covers up under my chin, and calmly begin to drift into the reality of the morning. July 10, 2002, my grandfather has just passed away after suffering for months with prostrate cancer. The words still echo in my mind as the morning sun enters my awareness. I do not feel devastated. I feel grateful for the moments I had with him that I will now hold forever in my heart.

My grandpa taught me to tie my shoes. He gave me my first cow. He played endless games of Yahtzee and later Triominoes and even later Dominoes with his grandchildren. When I was in college and broke, this retired dairy farmer "bought" a calf from me to see me through the rough patch, and never had the ownership papers transferred to him. His laugh was the most unique, contained chuckle I have ever heard. I can still hear it today. His eyes the most incredible blue and when he was about to tell you a joke, their twinkle rivaled any star I have ever seen.

We did. We had a wonderful time! Every moment I had with him was a gift. What an example he set for his children and grandchildren. Kindhearted, but strong, gentle but determined! A leader in his community, a friend, a hard worker, an intelligent business man who loved his wife, raised his children with a firm, consistent and caring hand; and enjoyed his grandchildren for all their uniqueness and potential.

I miss my grandpa. I think of him often. I can’t help but be reminded that not only did we have a wonderful time; but I am bearing witness to another generation having their own, equally wonderful time, with another kindhearted, strong, intelligent man.

My dad, I believe, is currently at the height of glory in his role as Grandpa. With grandkids ranging in age from infant to young adult, his mornings begin with grandkids and sometimes end the same way. His afternoons are touched by a pre-schooler who has zero interest in cows but shares his love of cheese and ice cream, and a school age granddaughter who loves his cows almost as much as he does. He spends his weekends with one of his beautiful young adult granddaughters, and revels at her many talents, endless potential and effortless beauty that radiates from the inside, out. From inside his barn, dad can ponder the future of his oldest granddaughter, and marvel at how she is so independent as she makes her way in the world. I've had to leave out some of the most extraordinary of this generation, but they are not any less important or loved in his eyes, or mine.

It is still a wonderful time. An incredible time. It will never be the same again. It will always change and yet, it remains. Thank you, Grandpa, for setting the stage for this generation. For teaching me to be kind, strong, smart, determined and hard working. I may never again have such a wonderful dance partner; but I will never stop dancing in the glory of all the wonderful people and things that are around me.