What you leave is a work of art

This post is dedicated to my Grandpa Ray, who passed away one week ago. I was fortunate enough to be able to make the trip home for his funeral. Somehow I even mustered the strength to deliver his eulogy. Here are those words for everyone that may wish to read them and re-read them time and again: 

Grandpa Forner had a wall decoration that read: "Better to sit in a boat and think about God than to sit in church and think about fishing."

For as much time as Grandpa spent in his boat, he must have had a lot of conversations with God. I imagine that they talked about what it meant to be a good father and grandfather, and based on what his 11 children and 19 grandchildren have shared as their favorite memories, God's advice to Grandpa was probably along the lines of the following:

- Inspire them with your creativity. Show them that nothing ever goes to waste when you can give it an alternative use. Gift them with your fish decoys, peace pipes, birdhouses, fish earrings, and other creations so that they will always have something to remember you by.

- Teach them how to fish. Sit with them on the lake for hours at a time, bait their hooks, and let them steer the boat back to shore. This will require patience, but I can help you out with that. Also, make sure Grandma packs enough snacks.

- Introduce them to unique hobbies, such as catching and releasing squirrels.

- Entertain them with your stories, wisdom, and sense of humor.

- Play cards with them, and even though you will win every time, let them believe they beat you once in a while.

- Be a faithful and loving husband, and set a good example for them in your marriage. Tell them all to have 11 children, just like you did, so that one day they will be able to look upon their lives with a happy and content heart full of love.

- Give them bear hugs. Lots of them. Squeeze them tightly and don't let go.

Grandpa, thank you for the wonderful memories. We still feel the comfort of your arms wrapped around us, and we are at peace knowing that you are now free of the hardships placed upon you by this world. May your soul find its deserved rest. We love you.