Gramps

Horace Vines

November 15, 1923 - July 19, 2006

My Gramps passed away last month. It's been hard to deal with the loss. I am not much of a public speaker, but I braved the front of the funeral home to say something about a wonderful man, who I miss very much. I wanted to put on here what I said that day.

In Webster's Dictionary, the definition of Grandfather is the father of one's father or mother. But a grandfather is so much more than that. To us, Horace Vines was a teacher, an inspiration, a confidant, unconditional love, honorable, and so much more, in a word, he was Gramps. I know we all have our stories about our times with Gramps, and I could talk your ears off about the time I spent with him. However, what I want to share today with you is how no matter what was going on he was always happy to see me. He was always there for me. And he always had something to teach me, even when it didn't seem like he was teaching. He embraced life and those around him, living it to the fullest and sharing with those all he was. And I want to thank him for being the grandfather he was and I will always love and miss him.

I found this on the internet and it seemed to fit.

Ever unfolding, like Angel's radiant wings.

Is the magical love and kindness that a grandfather brings.