Forrest

It is difficult to say anything at all through the fresh tears of new loss.  Words cannot express the love he inspired in all of us.  What can I say about such a strong man who is one of the most influential people in my life?  He has seen me though the many stages of my life with love and compassion.  He is a man of solid character, Christian values and a strong family leader. 

Through grace he is welcomed with a great celebration into heaven by God and by all who have come before him.  It must be an unbelievably joyous sight.  He is seeing his beloved mother, sister, brother and father again after all of these years.  

I know he would rather have stayed here with Grandma until they could have gone on together.  I too would rather keep him here with us.  However I am comforted by the knowledge that he is home with God and the rest of his friends and family who have gone on before him. 

I try and picture what he would want to look like in heaven.  It makes me tear up and smile to think of him as a healthy black haired young man.  He is spending time visiting with the family and friends he has missed for so long.  I think of him lifting his mom up into the air as he hugs her tightly.  I envision him running with his brother and sister.  Then embracing his dad as he listens to him say how proud he is of the man his son grew to be. 

I now find myself instinctively knowing that when I talk directly to him, as though praying.  That God makes sure he hears me.  Granddad, I love you and I will continue to miss you dearly until I see you again.  Thank you for everything.  

In memory of my Granddad, Forrest Lee Miller, an extraordinary man who went to heaven at the age of eighty, this past Sunday, May 20, 2012.

JL Cooper