Since we use this as our family journal I'm just going to write some feelings down, so it will be a little random and scattered, but I want them somewhere. You don't have to read them, they're just for me.
My Grandpa Bird (Karl Phillips Bird) is the heart of my family. He has lived an extra-extraordinary life. He passed away from a combination of congestive heart failure and renal failure on his 90th birthday (Sat. Jan. 10th, 2009). We know he hung in there just to make it to his birthday and he passed away at 1am on his birthday so he could be here for his birthday and then go celebrate it with Grandma who has been waiting for him on the other side for 6 years. We still had his birthday party that night, which was filled with memories of grandpa and lots of grandpa-isms. Grandpa had the greatest sayings. (ie: "you fell over a straw and a hen kicked ya," and "that's what you get for nothin', think what you get if you did somethin'") He's lived about a mile or less from me my whole life. Growing up we spent almost every Fri night having a sleepover at my grandparents' house that was filled with fun, good food, wood/painting projects, and ending with "Circle K Saturday". Those are some of my best memories. My grandparents rarely missed a school concert (no matter how bad), and they were there for all of the most important days like my baptism, (then just Grandpa at) my endowment, my wedding, and my babies' blessings. Grandma suffered from Alzheimer's for about 10 years, which was very difficult to watch, but my Grandpa always took care of her, no matter how difficult it got. He is the greatest example of unconditional love that I've ever seen. Watching him care for her taught me one of the most important lessons that I think I will ever learn. He was such an amazing example to us all. After my Grandma died he decided to live life to the fullest. He traveled the world and took cruises with my parents and my uncle and aunt many times. He went with my family on our big trip to France. I loved watching him see all the wonderful things the world has to offer. I remember being at the top of the Eiffel Tower and the top of Mont St. Michael and staying in the alps and hearing him say over and over, that he never thought he'd live to see all of these places and he couldn't believe he was actually there. His simple humility was adorable. I lived with my grandpa for a while before Klint and I got married. I'm so glad that we had that time together. I got married quite a bit older than the rest of my siblings, and in that time that I was single and they were all married (except Scott), Grandpa was my date to every family dinner or party we ever had. No offense to Klint, but I think those were probably my favorite dates ever. Grandpa loved to dance. He was always my dancing buddy. I loved dancing with Grandpa whenever the music struck him right. I will always remember dancing the night away with him during the breaks of my wedding reception in Snowflake. I danced much more with him than I did with Klint. :) He worked in the temple and I was blessed to be able to attend the temple with him. He is a great example of enduring to the end. He has gone to the gym (or "spa" as he called it) 3-4 times a week for the last 6 years or so. He loved to go and wanted to keep his body going strong. 5 weeks before he passed away he said he felt like he was loosing some strength, so he hired a personal trainer at the gym. He was absolutely unbelievable! He also taught a primary class for the last couple of years. He loved to be in Primary. I remember when he first got his calling he went right out and bought a Primary songbook and the Primary cds so he could learn all the songs. He loved his calling and was proud to be able to serve in that way. He taught his primary class up until the Sun. before Christmas (the 20th) and then he was put in the hospital on the 30th. As he was in the hospital being put into ICU he was worrying about who would take over his Primary responsibility that Sun. He's just such an amazing man. I love him so much and am so blessed to have had him in my life for so many years. Probably my favorite thing was that our birthdays were only one day apart. (mine Jan. 9th and his Jan. 10th) I always felt so special to be able to share our birthdays each year. We always had a joint birthday party and I've never wanted it any other way. I'm going to miss him so much. I'm so glad we got to spend this last birthday together. I will always cherish that. I loved watching Grandpa get so excited about seeing my babies when I had them, even though he already had a ton. I never felt like he was any less excited about them than he was about the first. Grandpa has always been a little scared to hold new babies. I loved watching him hold them for the first time. I remember he always loved to take off their socks so he could check out their little toes and fingers. He always just said it was so "amazing". I could go on forever. I love my Grandpa. There is no one else like him. So sweet, and wonderful, and charitable, and giving, and strong, and a little rebellious, and so loving. I love you Grandpa, though I will miss you so much I'm grateful to know we'll be together again one day and I'm so happy for you to be with Grandma again. I can't wait for the day when I can dance with you again. Thank you for the ways you have taught me and blessed my life. There was much I couldn't have done without your support. I love you!
Grandpa at a rest stop on the way up to the top of Mt. Saint Michael.
My Grandpa Bird (Karl Phillips Bird) is the heart of my family. He has lived an extra-extraordinary life. He passed away from a combination of congestive heart failure and renal failure on his 90th birthday (Sat. Jan. 10th, 2009). We know he hung in there just to make it to his birthday and he passed away at 1am on his birthday so he could be here for his birthday and then go celebrate it with Grandma who has been waiting for him on the other side for 6 years. We still had his birthday party that night, which was filled with memories of grandpa and lots of grandpa-isms. Grandpa had the greatest sayings. (ie: "you fell over a straw and a hen kicked ya," and "that's what you get for nothin', think what you get if you did somethin'") He's lived about a mile or less from me my whole life. Growing up we spent almost every Fri night having a sleepover at my grandparents' house that was filled with fun, good food, wood/painting projects, and ending with "Circle K Saturday". Those are some of my best memories. My grandparents rarely missed a school concert (no matter how bad), and they were there for all of the most important days like my baptism, (then just Grandpa at) my endowment, my wedding, and my babies' blessings. Grandma suffered from Alzheimer's for about 10 years, which was very difficult to watch, but my Grandpa always took care of her, no matter how difficult it got. He is the greatest example of unconditional love that I've ever seen. Watching him care for her taught me one of the most important lessons that I think I will ever learn. He was such an amazing example to us all. After my Grandma died he decided to live life to the fullest. He traveled the world and took cruises with my parents and my uncle and aunt many times. He went with my family on our big trip to France. I loved watching him see all the wonderful things the world has to offer. I remember being at the top of the Eiffel Tower and the top of Mont St. Michael and staying in the alps and hearing him say over and over, that he never thought he'd live to see all of these places and he couldn't believe he was actually there. His simple humility was adorable. I lived with my grandpa for a while before Klint and I got married. I'm so glad that we had that time together. I got married quite a bit older than the rest of my siblings, and in that time that I was single and they were all married (except Scott), Grandpa was my date to every family dinner or party we ever had. No offense to Klint, but I think those were probably my favorite dates ever. Grandpa loved to dance. He was always my dancing buddy. I loved dancing with Grandpa whenever the music struck him right. I will always remember dancing the night away with him during the breaks of my wedding reception in Snowflake. I danced much more with him than I did with Klint. :) He worked in the temple and I was blessed to be able to attend the temple with him. He is a great example of enduring to the end. He has gone to the gym (or "spa" as he called it) 3-4 times a week for the last 6 years or so. He loved to go and wanted to keep his body going strong. 5 weeks before he passed away he said he felt like he was loosing some strength, so he hired a personal trainer at the gym. He was absolutely unbelievable! He also taught a primary class for the last couple of years. He loved to be in Primary. I remember when he first got his calling he went right out and bought a Primary songbook and the Primary cds so he could learn all the songs. He loved his calling and was proud to be able to serve in that way. He taught his primary class up until the Sun. before Christmas (the 20th) and then he was put in the hospital on the 30th. As he was in the hospital being put into ICU he was worrying about who would take over his Primary responsibility that Sun. He's just such an amazing man. I love him so much and am so blessed to have had him in my life for so many years. Probably my favorite thing was that our birthdays were only one day apart. (mine Jan. 9th and his Jan. 10th) I always felt so special to be able to share our birthdays each year. We always had a joint birthday party and I've never wanted it any other way. I'm going to miss him so much. I'm so glad we got to spend this last birthday together. I will always cherish that. I loved watching Grandpa get so excited about seeing my babies when I had them, even though he already had a ton. I never felt like he was any less excited about them than he was about the first. Grandpa has always been a little scared to hold new babies. I loved watching him hold them for the first time. I remember he always loved to take off their socks so he could check out their little toes and fingers. He always just said it was so "amazing". I could go on forever. I love my Grandpa. There is no one else like him. So sweet, and wonderful, and charitable, and giving, and strong, and a little rebellious, and so loving. I love you Grandpa, though I will miss you so much I'm grateful to know we'll be together again one day and I'm so happy for you to be with Grandma again. I can't wait for the day when I can dance with you again. Thank you for the ways you have taught me and blessed my life. There was much I couldn't have done without your support. I love you!
Grandpa at a rest stop on the way up to the top of Mt. Saint Michael.
Grandpa holding Jameson for the first time. Has to check out those little fingers and toes.
Grandpa seeing Alex for the first time. I love the look on his face.
My 3 favorite boys.
Pallbearer Group B: Scott, Klint, Ken, Kasey, Eric, & Ryan
Grandpa's 2 children. Alan Bird & Lorraine Bird Jameson (mom)
Dad, Mom, Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Alan
The love Birds. I've never know two people who loved each other more or better. They're the best example. I love you!
9 comments:
I am so sorry for your loss. He seems like he was am amazing man and that he lived life to it's fullest.
If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call.
I am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. We love you!
I'm so sorry Corinne. We love you and are thinking of you during this time. Hang in there.
What a sweet tribute to your wonderful grandpa! It sounds like he was a really incredible guy and an amazing example. My own grandpa is getting close to the end of his years, and I share so many of your feelings. It's always hard for us to lose them, but SO comforting to know that there are so many on the other side who have been anxiously awaiting their return. We'll be thinking about you...Love you guys!
What an amazing grandfather he was! That's so neat that you have so many wonderful memories with him. I'm so sorry for your loss, but it's good to know that you will see him again:)
Aww, I am so sad to hear that! I remember him and remember how sweet he was. I am glad he will be with his wife!
Hey, I forgot to ask, I lost all my phone numbers in my phone, can you text me and give me your address? (I know you just gave it to me, but I was saving it in my phone, and now I don't have it!!) Blame it on Jake, he put a cup of water that leaks next to my phone.
So sorry to hear about Grandpa Bird- he lived such a great life!
Let me know if there's anything you need :)
Love ya!
It was nice to read over your sweet memories of your grandpa. I know how much you love him and look up to him. You are blessed to have a great family. And p.s. happy belated birthday! You know I'm the worst at remembering them. :)
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