Muleskinner

Issue date: 2/9/06 Section: Sports

Even though last weekend was supposed to be the greatest weekend in sports, I realized one thing--there is more to life than sports.

The Super Bowl, which turned out to be not so 'super,' was on, and everyone was excited to sit down and enjoy the game, but I had more important things on my mind.

Thursday morning, as I was getting ready for another day of school, my dad left me a message on my cell phone. I could tell by the tone of his voice and the sorrow in his words, something wasn't right.

When I returned the call, I had a feeling of what to expect. My feelings became reality when he told me my great-grandfather had passed away earlier in the morning.

Grandpa's health had been deteriorating the last couple of months, and we all knew our time with him was drawing to a close. He lived a full life during his 100 years, and had seen almost everything.

Living life to the fullest

Grandpa was 100 years-young, and Feb. 25, he would have been 101. Not too many people even have the opportunity to know their great-grandparents, but I was fortunate enough to have grown up getting to know Grandpa.

He was the rock of our family, and if it weren't for him, our family wouldn't have been the same.

He was a great man and someone I looked up to and admired for his many fruitful years on Earth. I know he is in a better place now, and that makes this transition easier for me and my entire family.

Grandpa lived for the day he would go to heaven and be with Grandma again. Now, he has made it there, and I know he is watching over his family and friends.

Moments in time

I will always cherish the time I was able to spend with Grandpa, and I will never forget the things he taught me.

Just being around him made me more educated on what it is like to live for God and lead a life worthy of making it to heaven. And I look forward to the day I am able to see him again.

I have always been an avid fisherman, and if it weren't for Grandpa, I may have never enjoyed the outdoors like I do.

Grandpa came from Bolivar, Mo., where he lived his entire life, to spend some time with me during my summer break. I was 10 or 11-years old at the time and lived in a lake community.

We went down to the lake and fished off the bank, but I didn't realize what that time meant, until recently. I now know how special that opportunity was.

After I graduated high school, I went down and visited Grandpa and he took me fishing in Pomme De Terre River and some local ponds he knew.

I am sure he out-fished me, but what's new? Grandpa could catch a catfish if it were within 10 miles of him. That's how good he was.

It's those times I will cherish forever. I will carry those memories and Grandpa's tradition wherever I go, and I know Grandpa will be there every step of the way.

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