Going Home

So,this is going to be kinda raw and I have a feeling I may end up deleting everything in the end...but I am reeling right now. It's 6:45 AM on Friday and I am sitting in a dark hotel room in Vicksburg, MS. My mom called yesterday and told me my grandfather wasn't doing well and if I wanted to see him alive, I better get home soon. Russell and I tied up all our loose ends and were on the road by 5:oopm. I felt like we were racing with time. Even though I knew that Papa was most likely in his final days, I didn't have much of a doubt that I would not ever see him again. This morning at 5:45 I got the phone call that he was gone. We didn't make it to see him alive. Even though I am sad about this...somehow I have peace. He knew that we were on our way and doing our best to get there. I just talked to my sister and she is over at my grandparents house with my grandmother and my mom. They were sitting in the room with him and reading over the list he had prepared of his requests and wishes.
My grandfather lived one of the most fulfilling lives on this earth I have ever heard of. He had a beautiful marriage to my grandmother for 62 years, he was a faithful Christian and elder of the church, he worked for DuPont as an electrical engineer from the day he graduated college until the day that he retired. Papa was a woodworker, an artist, a gardener, a marathon runner. He lived life to the fullest every single day and there wasn't a lazy bone in his body. My grandfather was more like a father to me and gave me he foundation to be the person I am today. He inspired so many to do good by is life and deeds....and now he has his reward in heaven. The scripture that describes Jesus going to prepare a place for us in heaven is just coming alive in my mind. I know God has prepared a beautiful mansion up in heaven for my grandfather where he is now living, full of joy, free from pain, transformed in his new heavenly body and thankful he left his former flesh on earth.
I am so sad. I will miss my grandfather so much. It pains me to think about life without him....but on the same token, I am so joyous. He left this earth just the way he wanted: In his own bed at his own house with his wife by his side...with no fanfare and no fuss. Just peacefully. He wrote in his notes that he didn't want a funeral. He stated that people hated to go to funerals and he wasn't about to do that to anyone. That brings a smile to my face.