Grandpa Wessels.

Our dear Grandpa Wessels. A man Dallas admired so incredibly much. Someone who never called you by the right name (even though he knew it darn well). A grandpa who did everything he could to help anyone. A fellow everybody in the community knew. A great grandpa who would play along with the little ones. A man after God's own heart. Someone we were so fortunate to know.

Two weeks ago, we found out Grandpa had cancer that was beyond treatment. He came home to get settled in and comfortable, and one week later, went to his heavenly home. When Grandpa gets something in his head, you can consider it done. And this was no different. He had his eternal home in mind, and was not about to waste anymore time getting there. 3-6 months worth of living with cancer turned into one week. It was very fast.

Dallas was sure to spend a lot of time with his Grandpa last week. The kids saw him one last time, and I got there with Dallas when I could. Saturday night, we sat with Grandpa for two hours before he passed. Dallas on one side, me on the other, holding each of his hands. It was scary and sad. But what a privilege. Grandpa was somebody who stood beside Dallas in everything he did, and now it was our turn to stand by him. The emotions were overwhelming watching him struggle for life. We told Grandpa goodbye, that it was okay to go see Jesus, and that we love him. We came home and our hearts felt so heavy. Dying looked scary. He didn't look like Grandpa. We didn't want the pain for him.

Two hours later, we got the call that he was gone. The relief that swept over us was unreal. Finally, Grandpa was in heaven, the place he had yearned for for so many years. He was before his Lord and Savior, hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant." And we could just imagine him singing in the choir. No more suffering. A new body. A healed Grandpa.

We talked and talked into the middle of the night, laughing and crying. Dallas felt he had a very special bond with his grandpa. He chose to name Charlton William after him. We can't wait to tell Charlie about his grandpa and how unashamed he was of his love for Christ. Thankfully, Dallas and his grandpa took a nine hour trip only weeks before his passing. They had the opportunity to talk and share about life. Grandpa wants nothing more than his family to know the Lord, and live for Him daily. I will never forget him praying at our wedding. He felt so honored, but we were really the ones who were blessed. He said before he prayed how proud he was of Dallas; that whatever he does, he does to the best of his ability. I completely agree, Grandpa! Thank you for always recognizing Dallas's hard work.

Grandpa isn't here anymore. And we will miss him. To see your husband cry in sadness is so hard. But, on the way home from the funeral, Dallas told me that he sat in the front pew and cried and cried not out of sadness anymore, but out of such appreciation. He loved his grandpa so much. And I am forever thankful to his grandpa for the love and care he showed my husband throughout the years. He always made Dallas feel so special.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y

This song was played at his funeral. It is exactly how we feel. Thank you. Thank you.