Grandpa Calvin Cottrell Crane

I'd been putting off this post because I can't seem to put into words what I want to say about grandpa. My friends and I go to lunch once a week to take a break and catch up. Today they surprised me with this picture of grandpa ( everyone else was cropped out) in a beautiful frame. Of course it started up my tears again. When I came home I felt like I could finally write some things down.I was so touched by their thoughtfulness. It really meant so much to me. That's what life is about- spending time with people you care about and trying to let go of all the rest.

Grandpa died Christmas Day and we had his funeral in Burley January 31st. Even though he had been sick for awhile and he wasn't really "grandpa" anymore it was a hard week. I don't think I have ever cried so much. I have been flooded with memories of him through the years and trying to write things down in my journal about him so that I won't forget. His funeral was so nice and I loved hearing things about him and grandma. I worry what will happen to her now that he's gone. She has a broken heart and has been with him since they met in 6th grade! I've never seen two people so in love. I loved his sayings and jokes when I would see him first thing in the morning while we were feeding cows. I of course would roll out of bed at 6 and blindly get dressed and go get in the pick up to head over to the farm- grandpa would tell me when I got out of bed I should brush my hair, brush my teeth, and wash my face! He would say "it's a great day for the race" and you were supposed to say "what race" and he would answer "the human race"! He always had a poem to quote everyone and I remember "The Ambulance Down in the Valley" was his favorite. It was printed on the back of his funeral program. He looked like John Wayne when he was younger and it was brought up at his funeral how there was a picture of John Wayne in his office and most of us grandkids growing up thought it was grandpa- not John Wayne. He was such a hard worker and taught me how to work hard. I will miss his smiling, 'twinkly" eyes that he had and miss his laugh that was loudest after he told one of his jokes! It was so nice to see all of my family- cousins, aunts, uncles at his viewing and funeral and honor him. To be crying one minute and laughing the next! Grandpa Calvin will be missed but not forgotten!