My sweet Grandpa Tunney passed away in August, and our family traveled to Ohio for his funeral. I loved this man deeply and missed him for the past several years as Alzheimer's took his mind away from us while his body lingered. I wanted to share what I said at his funeral as I hope it truly honors the man he was. I cannot wait to see him whole in eternity!

He stood only 5 feet 7 inches, but Richard Allan Tunney - my Grandpa - was a giant of a man. Loyal, steadfast, hardworking. He was an honorable man, and I am grateful for the opportunity to honor him today.

Grandpa leaves quite a legacy, and I know he would love to see these first few rows this morning: his bride of 68 years, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and (so far) 9 great-grandchildren.
I have sweet early memories of him: the smell of his workshop, the way he smiled with his eyes, his strong arms as he pushed one of his four granddaughters on the swing in the backyard. I remember many Sundays spent on one of those back pews, wondering how in the world every single person at Bethel knew Grandpa by name. Even though we grew up about 5.5 hours away, Grandma and Grandpa never missed a major moment. They'd drive to Nashville to watch our cross country meets or to take pictures before prom or graduations. And I'll never forget them dancing at my wedding. Grandpa also had a bit of a mischievous streak that I especially admired. One time, in my early teens, I convinced him to hang a full-sized hammock from the walls of my bedroom when my parents just happened to be out of town. We both clearly knew they'd said "no" to the idea, but he helped me do it anyway, and I loved him all the more for it.

Grandma - I want to talk to you for a minute. Your courageous, sacrificial love for Grandpa, especially over this past decade, has astounded me. You have worked so hard but I know you'd do it all again if given the chance. You never stopped, you never gave up. I know he would be so thankful for your incredible care. I'm confident he's the only Alzheimer's patient in all of Ohio who had his hair blow dried every single day. I know your love wasn't perfect, but it sure was strong.

A little while ago, you told me over the phone that it had been a particularly rough day. I listened as you recounted Grandpa's unsurprising stubbornness when it came to just about every part of his daily tasks. 

But then you paused. And I'll never forget what you said: "I still remember him walking up the drive to pick me up for our first date. I was 16. It's still him. I love him, and I'll love him 'til the day I die." 

I work part-time as a nurse, and each time I'm headed to work at the hospital, I call Grandma. It's a chance to catch up for 10 or 15 minutes, and one of the first things I always ask is, "How is Grandpa today?"

Now that Grandpa is in Heaven, you better believe I'll still call. But I won't have to ask that question because I already know the answer. So I want to ask that question - and answer it - one final time.

How is Grandpa today?

Grandpa is having his best day ever and this is only the beginning. Grandpa is whole. His mind is sharp and clear, his joy complete as he's in the presence of his Savior, Jesus. He's free from the broken body he struggled inside for the last several years of his life. Grandpa knows peace like none of us in this room have yet experienced. We don't have to pray for him anymore because we know where he is. We know Whose he is. We may say "we've lost him," but Grandpa is not lost to God. And in just a little while, we who place our hope in the resurrected Christ will join him in a glorious future we can hardly fathom. Amen!

Overheard.

Liam and I spent the weekend in Ohio, celebrating my cousin's beautiful wedding. As I got dressed one morning, I listened to my grandparents chatting in the other room:

Grandpa: You know, you are one of the prettiest girls in town.
Grandma: That's not always what I see when I look in the mirror.
Grandpa: Oh, there's no doubt about it. You're one of the prettiest girls in town. And that comes from my heart.

Alzheimer's disease has stolen so much from him - even the recognition of his wife on many days - but deep down in the recesses of his mind, there's a redeeming thread of affection for his bride of over 60 years that can't be peeled away.

63 years.

Today my grandparents celebrated 63 years of marriage. It's hard for me to fathom 63 years of life on this earth, much less what 63 years married to one person must look like. For Grandma in these last few years, it's looked like a whole lot of work. A life altering sacrifice. My sweet Grandpa has been enduring the ugly, ravenous monster that is Alzheimer's, the disease that doesn't seem to stop until it's stripped a person of everything. Still, Grandma's courageous love for him has been unshakeable. Never stopping, never giving up.

Not too long ago, my Grandma told me over the phone that it had been a particularly rough day with Grandpa. I listened while she recounted his unsurprising stubbornness - one of his best qualities pre-Alzheimer's and the most difficult quality now - when it came to just about every part of his daily tasks.

But then she paused. And I'll never forget what she said: "I still remember watching him walk up the drive to pick me up for our first date. I was 16. It's still him. I love him, and I'll love him 'til the day I die."

Five years into our marriage, I can only hope for 58 more years of marriage to Shawn. I can only hope that when I look back over our lives, I'll look at him and say, It's still him. I love him, and I'll love him 'til the day I die. I can only hope that I'll be able to remember this afternoon. The day Shawn brought home Liam's first soccer ball from the store and unwrapped it excitedly, hoping for a reaction. I hope I'll remember the open field behind our first house. The hazy, glowing sun and warm wind that brought a welcome reprieve from a brutal winter. The way the light hit his hair. The way he picked up Liam so gently, loved him so deeply, smiled so big his eyes disappeared. The hopes we shared for our future as a family. It will still be him, and I will love him.

To my grandparents who have forged such a beautiful path ahead, thank you for the gift of your legacy. I know your love for each other isn't without flaws, but it sure is strong. And to your granddaughter who's been watching closely for the past 28 years, it's as beautiful as ever.

Thanksgiving this year.

Our Thanksgiving could not have been better.

Lots of family met up at my grandparents' house in Ohio which is the best possible location for such a feast. We transformed their garage into a dining room (a yearly tradition), even hanging strips of fabric on a trouble light to make a chandelier at the last minute. Hope you enjoy a few little snippets of our day. We have so, so much to be thankful for.

61 years.

Last week when my grandparents were in town, I pulled them outside for a few minutes to take advantage of the gorgeous Fall day and a 61-year-old marriage that's as sweet as ever. I really, really love these.

Happy 60th Anniversary!

Today marks 60 years that my grandparents have been married. 

Isn't that remarkable? 

My all-time favorite picture of them. My cousin Sarah took this. It's perfect.

Though I've only known them for the past 25, it has been such a privilege watching their marriage get stronger and sweeter with the passing of time. This year has been a particularly difficult one as Grandpa is slowing down and doesn't always know where he is or what he is doing. But Grandma continues to love him well, staying with him 24/7 and doing anything and everything for him.

One of my favorite memories of them, and something they still do today, is that Grandma fixes Grandpa's hair every single morning. She's probably done it for at least 20 years, maybe more. When he gets out of the shower, he sits on the toilet seat and she brushes and blow-dries that soft, snowy white hair. I love that picture of a woman really loving her husband well. 

One memory that sticks out of Grandpa is one I never experienced, but I heard about and it never left my mind. He worked for AT&T for many, many years and if the other workers in his company would go on strike, he wouldn't be able to work - so he'd go to the local gas station and get a job pumping gas until he could work at AT&T again. I can't imagine a more humble act for a husband and a father, doing anything to provide for those he loves.

I have such a legacy in these two and am so proud to call them my grandparents. In a world where so few marriages thrive, I'm so thankful theirs truly has.

Happy 60 years, Grandma & Grandpa!

59.

Happy 59th Anniversary to my sweet grandparents.

On March 3, 1951, these two eloped. While Grandpa was in the army in Kentucky, Grandma would drive down from Ohio on the weekends to spend time with him. One weekend they were there, they decided to get married. Several months later, Grandpa was sent off to war in Korea for the next 13 months. They wrote to each other nearly every day.

From then until now, they have endured quite a bit together. Just this past year, a cancer diagnosis for Grandpa sent a shock wave through our family. But after radiation treatment and hormone shots, the doctor has recently given him a good report. We are so thankful he'll be sticking around for a while.

Honestly, wedding anniversaries never meant very much to me until being married myself. I can only pray that Shawn and I will have 59 years together. And I can only imagine how much deeper and sweeter your love for each other must be as the years pass.

Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for the example you've set for me in your life and marriage. You have shown me the value of working hard and loving well. I love you both.

Happy Anniversary.

Thankful thankful.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

- Colossians 2:6-7

Our Thanksgiving turkey this year.

Our Thanksgiving table... believe it or not, in my grandparents' garage!

I know I'm a little late for a true Thanksgiving post, but gratitude is important every day of the year, right?

Grandpa Tunney

I'm thankful for my two grandpas who are battling cancer with courage and peace. We spent Thanksgiving with my Grandpa Tunney who is undergoing radiation treatment right now. Our family gathered around him after the meal and laid hands on him and prayed for healing. Nothing really brings a family together like a major illness. We continue to pray for both Grandpa Tunney and Granddaddy Ware that the Lord would miraculously heal and strengthen their bodies. I'm thankful they both know Jesus and walk with Him.

I'm thankful for the little ways the Lord continues to provide for me and Shawn as we look for jobs in Nashville. He is constantly reminding us how much He loves us by surprising us with little gifts that remind us that He's in control. We've gotten unexpected overpayment checks from our phone company, gift cards from Whole Foods for showing up for a class that had been rescheduled... things that don't normally happen. And just a couple days ago, we got a free desk for my craft room - something I'd been wanting but was not a priority to buy right now. Thank you, Lord.

I'm thankful for our new church where we are beginning to feel loved and connected. What an answered prayer!

I'm thankful for my sweet Shawn who continues to serve and lead me so well. I'm thankful that every morning he begins his day in prayer and reading the Word and is always gentle and kind toward me. Every day that goes by I'm more and more impressed with his character. I married so well. I cannot believe we will celebrate our first anniversary in less than a month!

I'm thankful Christmas is right around the corner which means Kels and Zach will be in town!

I'm thankful for our family near and far. Mom and Dad are very near (8 minutes!) while Shannon and Erik, Kels and Zach, and Mama and Papa are very far. We miss them all so much, but are thankful to feel connected with them despite so many miles.

Last but not least, I'm thankful an opportunity for Shawn to lead worship for the youth at my parents' church. He is so passionate about worship and I'm excited to see him in his element. Another answered prayer.

Prayers for Grandpas.

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man."

Psalm 112:4

These are my grandpas.

Within the past month, both have received some very unexpected, unwelcome news: they have cancer.

I am thankful that they both know Jesus and have led their families in righteousness and with dignity for so many years. Their godly influence on my parents is unmistakable and I am so thankful for each of them.

One has already begun radiation treatment, and one has just been diagnosed.

If you're reading this, will you take a minute and pray on their behalf? Pray for peace, for courage, for healing. We would so appreciate it.

"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heard is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

Psalm 112:6-7