Ode to My Grandfather

This is intended as my way of telling my grandfather goodbye. May he rest in peace and no longer suffer the pains of the body, and be free from the years of suffering he has endured.


I am writing to get my feelings on this out....to try and sort through the emotion and mounting grief. He was a mountain of a man. I loved him. He loved me. These are things I know. Who he was as a person was defined by what he did. War veteran, father, farmer, husband were all titles he held. What I have of him are memories....the fondest of childhood memories, and those I will try to share, although they may be random and jumbled.


Hide and go seek on the farm.
Wading in the cold creek, catching crawdads with my cousins.
Climbing trees, climbing in the barns.
Chasing after, and being chased after, by the rooster.
Swimming in the nastiest of pond water.
Ice skating on a pond without skates.
Picking gallon after gallon of blackberries.
Pushing a lawn mower for the first time.
Playing on a slip and slide for the first time.
Baling hay, or trying to bale hay lol (I was 8-10)
Yard sales.
Grey Hound Buses.
Country Breakfasts every morning.
UT football games.
Iran Contra.
My mother and stepfather's wedding.

And lastly....

I remember one time being picked up in his arms, as he played with me. I remember thinking of how strong he was, but gentle despite his strength.

I felt safe and amazed by the gesture. That I will never forget.

I love you grandpa Bill.....thanks for so many things. I may not be the mountain in stature, but I hope I am as good of a father to my kids as you were a grandpa to me.


Rest in peace, the farm awaits you. Fields to sow, corn to shuck, horses to break, the sun in your face and on your back....all of this is waiting for you. The day is long and the work is hard, but there's no better feeling at the end of the day, than to know you've earned your right to live the land.

Live the land grandpa, live the land.

Much love always,


Stevan