Blue Eyes And Pearls: Grandpa.

My heart is very heavy as I write this entry....my grandpa Ervin passed away earlier this week. The funeral is tomorrow, and it hasn't really felt real until today. He's gone. My grandpa was a wonderful, God-honoring man, and I'm so lucky to have had a grandpa like him. I have so many great memories of my grandpa....I remember spending the night at their house all the time when I was little, and he would always make me some microwave popcorn and a "chocolate malted" as he called it. He, my grandma and I would all share and watch TV together before bed. I remember always trying to convince him to let me sleep on the pull-out couch because for some reason, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I remember how he would always sit in the same chair at the dinner table to read his newspaper and go through the mail in the morning. And he always sat in his blue la-z-boy chair when we watched TV together. He told the best stories about Sparky, Baldy and Harry. Those three went on some crazy adventures in the bedtime stories he created for me. I remember the little things like helping him clean out the gazebo in the summertime, exploring the attic, and helping him grab things for grandma in the large downstairs freezer. I remember how he would point at me and holler "Be careful!" when I would drive the four-wheelers too fast in his backyard or at the hunting shack. I remember how one time we flipped a four-wheeler when I was younger and he didn't even care if the wheeler was okay or not, all he cared about was that I was fine. I remember how he was frequently humming hymns. I remember an amazing man.
Several years ago, my grandpa was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He fought a long battle with Parkinson's, and eventually reached the point where he needed full time care in the nursing home. He got to the point where he couldn't carry on a conversation very easily and sat in a wheelchair. I thought I lost my grandpa a long time ago due to Parkinson's. This Christmas though, I was able to share a special moment with my grandpa again. I was helping my cousin Jens put up our grandparent's Christmas tree and other decorations. Jens went to go bring my grandma to the nursing home to see Grandpa, so I stayed back to finish decorating. Jens came back after a few minutes however, and said "Somebody is asking for you specifically at the nursing home." So I hopped into his Jeep and we headed over. After talking to my grandpa for a long time and getting little response, Jens and I decided to leave. I went to give him a hug, and to my surprise my grandpa actually lifted his left arm and hugged me back. It had been so long since he had actually hugged me back. With Parkinson's Disease, you have some good days and bad days. It's kind of a toss up on what you get. This day was the last time I was able to see my grandpa having good day. A hug may not seem like much to you, but it was huge for me.
If you don't know my grandpa at all, these stories probably mean little to nothing to you. But they mean so much to me. My grandpa, Ervin Clarence Boyum, was an absolutely amazing man. He was a rock for his family and he loved the Lord with all his heart. He had an unshakable faith that I look up to tremendously.
One of my favorite stories about my grandpa is about when I was born. Everyone came to the hospital, and right after I was born, before I was even cleaned up or anything, my Grandpa Ervin held me and then stole me into the waiting room to show me off to everyone else. He definitely wasn't supposed to do that at all....but he was so proud of his new granddaughter, that he didn't want to wait. The picture below is from that day.

I'm sad that my grandpa is gone, and this is a very difficult time. But I have so much joy in knowing that he is with the Lord right now! He no longer has to suffer from Parkinson's Disease now that he is in heaven. I can picture him in heaven, laughing his contagious laugh and singing hymns in praise to the One who is above all else. And I have even more joy in knowing that I will see him again someday! How awesome will it be, to someday sing praises to my Heavenly Father alongside my grandfather again. I am so thankful for the time I was able to have with my grandpa Ervin, and I'm excited for the day I will see this remarkable man again.

I'm inserting a link to his obituary here, along with some more pictures of my grandpa's life.