Hey Family!
I have not posted on here yet but I was lying in bed and thinking about Grandpa. I recently visited Salt Lake and saw Grandma. As usual the presence of Grandpa was around. Lately I have wished that I got to know Grandpa as well as most of you did. Most of us younger grandkids did not get to know the real Grandpa because he was sick for a very long time. I want to know who my Grandfather really was. I remember when I was a little kid before Grandpa got too sick we made some tapes of him reading to us. I was wondering if we still had those or if they had gotten lost? If someone has a copy is there anyway to post them on one of the blogs or make a copy for the grandkids who do not get to remember Grandpa for who he truly was. Thanks you guys! I hope you are all doing well.
Love, Nikkie
I wasn't aware any recordings had been made, but if so, I would love to hear them and make copies for everyone. Hopefully someone knows where they might be. Nikkie, you're right that the grandkids didn't get to know Grandpa when he was healthy. When I read the scriptures and see the word "meek", I think of Grandpa. He was quiet and humble, with the family at the center of everything he did. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. One of the missionaries in Pittsburgh obviously got to know him very well, because he told another missionary, "Listen very carefully when Elder McKay speaks. What he says will either be very profound or very funny." I'm wondering, as I'm writing this, if it wouldn't be a good idea for all of us in the family to write down some favorite memories. I would be happy to compile them. I know I put together the talks from his funeral, but there are so many more memories and stories we all have that would be fun to collect and, at the same time, help the younger members of the family get to know Grandpa better. We could do it on the blog, or everyone could just email stories, etc, to me and I'll put them all together. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteDave says:
ReplyDeleteI think that a compilation of memories in addition to funeral talks would be awesome. Dad taught us all the importance of getting somewhere on time as well as getting out of somewhere on time. Hence, we all kept our funeral talks to the precise time alloted. Unfortunately that left a lot unsaid. I think submitting stuff to Becky would be great. Everyone could send them to me but I'd just end up sticking a paperclip on it and sending it around in a manila folder covered with diet coke stains. Becky would be a slightly better choice. I think it would be great if everyone, not just Grandpa's kids submitted memories. I'd love to see what my kids remember. Also, Cathy had Dad write a short autobiography years ago that I have since misplaced. Anyone have a copy of that? Sounds like a great idea Beck. Thanks Nikki for the thoughts and sparking this.
Traci says :
ReplyDeleteI also never knew Dick before his illness, but what I remember most about Grandpa is not any specific moment - it's just the feeling that in his presence I was always just accepted for what I was. That was the magic of your grandpa - I don't know how a person can exude acceptance, but I've known enough people to know that professing acceptance is not enough, your Grandpa was absolutley the Jedi master of going a step beyond professing what he was - he just was