MadisonAllie

I Love You, Grandpa

Posted on 02 December 2009

Today is in memory of my Grandpa, Louis Benjamin Clark.

This day marks the 4th year of his passing.

A man who was consistent with his love, time, rules, feelings and faith!

A man I am so proud to call my grandpa!

March 25, 1918 – December 2, 2005

Yesterday I wrote about my Nanny.  My Nanny and My Grandpa were married.  In her older years she had Alzheimer’s which made her forgot many many things and yet she still passed away 2 years after almost to the day that my grandpa passed away. They were married for 59 years. My grandpa always said he did it right. He married my nanny on May 7th, the same day as her birthday. He would wink and say he never forgot their anniversary! I believe they shared a strong beautiful love!

My grandpa was an amazing man. I struggled for a long time when we lost him. He had been sick for many years. He had a cancer called Multiple Myloma among many other things. When the times got tough he always seemed to pull through and come out with the gorgeous smile you see above.

I was able to get up and speak at his funeral and this is what I wrote….

My Grandpa – The Man, The Myth, The Legend

The Man - Grandpa was an extraordinary man. From one visit to the next I would never know what to expect. There were times when he would burst into songs such as ” I wonder where the yellow” as we played the card game rummy or times when i would call him on the phone and he swore he had a video phone and could see how great I looked that day.  And I’ll never forget getting into the car hearing him say ” All Aboard and if you can’t get a board get a plank.” He would always get on me when I would call and ask “If nanny was around?” He would say “Now Amanda that is not very nice your nanny is not round.” He was not just the man of the house; he was a man who helped nanny take care of the house. He enjoyed vacuuming and cleaning, taking care of  his beautiful garden and oh boy did he like to cook.  We had the greatest home grown green beans, wonderful red and yellow tomatoes, and strawberries if the birds did not get them first just to name a few.

The Myth – When you first met him you couldn’t miss his firm handshake, stern face, and strong opinion. But if you took the time to look deep into his light blue eyes, you would see what I already know, the softer side. You would see a man that in spite of a lot struggles and hardships still managed to find the positive in things and a true joy out of life.  When I looked at grandpa I never saw a stern exterior, I saw a man with a warm beautiful heart. And when he looked at me he never looked at my mistakes. He saw me as a whole person with great possibles, his granddaughter. For me I loved to see him smile because his light blue eyes would twinkle. That twinkle brightened up my life.

The Legend – I would say grandpa made the most out of life. His legendary life I believe began at a very young age when he had to become a man of the house due to his fathers death. He went on to proudly serve for his country as a medic during WWII. He  stayed married to one special lady for 58 years, he was a father to a great son and his faith in God never wavered.  In the last years of his life he had the courage and the strength to outlive the doctor’s predictions when diagnosed with cancer.

I feel very fortunate that nanny and grandpa chose to leave Maryland and move to Virginia. That has given me the opportunity to really know my grandpa. A man strong in faith, respectful to all people, and behind the exterior gruff a man who loved, and gave unselfishly, his time and himself to the community and his family.

I wrote the above 4 years ago for his funeral. I think this kind of sums up what an Amazing Grandpa I had!  He too had a beautiful soul. One that stays with me all the time. Has taught me so much and one that I continue to learn from. I can only hope that I am doing him proud. I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t think of him.  I was truly blessed to have such wonderful grandparents!

I still miss him. I love him.

He was my Grandpa!