Goodbye Grandpa

Last weekend, May 22, 2010, my Mom’s family all gathered in their home town, and celebrated the life and passing of my Grandpa, Cletus Turner Rogers.  He had just turned 96 years old on May 6.  His passing came exactly 24 years and 11 months to the day after my Grandma, his wife, Mary Luella Rogers.

I know this may sound cliché, but my Grandpa was a wonderful man.  He and Grandma celebrated their 44^th wedding anniversary just a couple of months before she passed away.  They raised 6 children, and had one that passed as an infant.  From those 6 children, they have 20 grandchildren, of which I am proud to be the first, and 36 great-grandchildren with another one due in July.

Grandpa’s service was truly beautiful.  Eric Smith, a dear friend of the family, delivered his eulogy.  My Mom spoke, as did another friend of the family.  There was a musical number presented by 2 of his sons and a few of his grandsons, as well as one presented by a grandson-in-law and his brother.  It was a song that I had never heard before, but it was lovely.  It is called “These Hands.”  Here is a youtube.com version by Johnny Cash.  It brings tears to my eyes hearing it again.

After the service, the funeral procession was escorted through town by the Alamosa Police.  I was so touched to see the officers as we passed by standing outside their patrol cars with their hands placed over their hearts.   Adding to the small town, country feel, drivers traveling in the opposite direction on the highway would pull over and stop as we passed.  This was a 23 mile trip, so there were quite a few that stopped.  Such respect! 

Grandpa was buried beside Grandma in the Manassa Cemetery.  Although it was very windy that day, it was still beautiful out there, very simple, quiet and peaceful.

Later in the afternoon, the entire family went out to Peggy and Carl’s home in the country.  We all thoroughly enjoyed spending time together and having fun.  Some rode the old tractor.  Some rode the motorcycle, while others rode the ATV.  The kids played on the trampoline and the 2 tire swings.  It was a great time for the adults to visit and for the kids to get to know cousins that they see all too infrequently. 

I am so grateful for the family that my Grandma and Grandpa started.  I pray the we can all continue to make them proud.  I thank my entire family and my friends for the love and support that they continually give me.

Grandpa, you will be missed but I love you and am so glad that you are free of your tired old body.  This separation is only temporary.  I know we’ll all be together again some day.