Happy Birthday, Great-Grandpa

Boys, today is your Great-Grandpa Ritz's 92nd birthday. It is also the day we said our final goodbyes. It was a beautiful day, and truly a celebration of his amazing life. There were many times this past week that you boys have questioned why I was crying, because you had a real understanding of how we should all be feeling. I would explain to you that I am crying for selfish reasons, because I am going to miss our grandpa so much. You would then remind me that Great-Grandpa is happy. He isn't hurting in the hospital anymore. You would tell me he is in heaven with God and Jesus and all of the family members who have been waiting to see him again. I wish I saw things through your beautiful eyes, Jake and Brady.

The church service this morning was a wonderful tribute to a man who touched so many lives. Jake, as someone was up speaking about how much he loved his great-grandchildren, you looked up at me and smiled. With tears in my eyes I said, "Great-Grandpa sure did love you. He is watching over you right now." You looked right into my eyes and said, "Yep, and I will see him again one day." Boys, I know it is hard to understand things like this, but you have been so wonderful. When Mommy had a hard time during the service, you would both give me a big hug and hold my hand or rub my arm. You always know just what I need.

We all went to Ma and Poppy's after the funeral, to be with family and friends and spend more time sharing special memories. We even had a birthday cake for him and we sang to the man who's life really did deserve to be celebrated today. I am so thankful that you had the opportunity to know and love your great-grandpa the way I love him. I am grateful that you aren't sad about losing him, but rather happy that he is in a better place now. Great-Grandpa Ritz loved you boys more than anything in this world, and I will never let you forget that. You always made him proud. You could bring a smile to his face, no matter what else was going on. Thank you for bringing so much joy to his life, the same way he brought joy to ours.