L.O.V.E.

I decided that since this upcoming month is all about the icky love stuff (name that movie) I would try to blog about people and things that I really love. The first post was inspired by some recent pictures that my dad has been posting on facebook of my late Grandpa Park. He's been gone for about 7 years now and my heart still aches when I think of him. I miss him so so much. I wish that everyone in my life could've met him because he meant and still means so much to me. I have so many wonderful memories of him. He had the greatest smile and such a great sense of humor. He was so easy to be around and he was always so happy. (Well when I was younger he was really grumpy sometimes, but we always made a joke of it). I remember we used to call him our garbage disposal because he would always eat whatever was left on our plates. He was a campground manager up at Spruces and then at Jordan Pines for a few summers and I have the greatest memories of going up there to visit and camp with him. We always played Uno, and he always got mad when he didn't win. :)
One of my last memories of my grandpa was when we all traveled down to St. George to say goodbye. He was in hospice care and we knew that it wouldn't be long before he passed. He was sure that he was going to get better and get out of there, so we were asked to be upbeat and just spend happy time with him. It was SO hard for me to stay smiling and upbeat... but I managed for the most part. Then I noticed a sucker from Disneyland by his bed and asked him where he got it. He told me that his nurse brought it back for him when she went because he had told her that he'd never been. Never been to Disneyland? For some reason that was so sad. I managed to joke with him about how we should sneak out the window together and go right then, but then I had to leave the room. For some reason, that was so sad to me. Everyone should get to go to Disneyland before they die and at that moment, all I wanted to do was take my grandpa there and not be in that room saying goodbye. Even though it's sad, I love that memory. I can still feel what it was like to be with my grandpa when I think of that, how it always was a warm, happy place when he was around.
I don't really have words to describe how wonderful my relationship was with him, but I just always felt at home when I was with him. I'm grateful that I have the knowledge of the gospel so that I know that I can see him again! I hope that my children can have the same kind of relationship with my dad that I did with my grandpa Park. I sure do miss the guy and I love him so so much!



Love you Grandpa Park!