Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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!

9 comments:

  1. Lisa,

    Thanks so much for posting this. It made me cry, again! Thanks for the memories. My favorite saying is - "were off like a dirty shirt!" It was great to see you guys at the funeral. You were good support.

    Love you guys!

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  2. My dad told me later that day he was watching you cry and was worried about you- how hard it was on you. He wondered how you were doing.

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  3. I think it is so awesome that you have so many great memories of him! What an incredible gift for you to have!

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  4. LOVE YOU!!! he will always have a twinkle in his eyes as he looks down upon you from heaven and the amazing person you are!! Thanks for letting me cry a little with you today!!!

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  5. Hey Alissa
    After reading your blog about your Grandpa I thought I would send you this great picture. What a great sport he was. I think he was billy bob thornton???? Really Trevor a whole lion SUIT REALLY!!! Anyway I thought what you wrote about your Grandpa was such a great tribute to him, what a great man that taught his family such great lessons about life. I hope you are hanging in there. Talk to you soon
    Stephanie

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  6. This was excellent Lisa, I liked this post a lot! The funeral was pretty hard, but it was very nice to hear all of those stories about Grandpa. I love you Lisa!

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  7. So sorry about your Grandpa. I am so glad that you have so many find memories of him. It helps. Hope you and your adorable family are well!

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  8. Lisa- what you wrote about Grandpa was so true! I loved his face just before he would tell one of his jokes!!! One of my favorite memories of him was one time when mom and dad went out of town we were able to spend the night at Grandpa's!!!! It was Monday night, and for FHE we were playing Uno. Grandpa was cheating and Grandma caught him and was getting after him. He was saying back to Grandma, "Raeola they wouldnt have known if you didnt say anything!" and then he looked at me with a huge smile and winked. Grandma of course couldnt stay mad at him-- she went over by his chair and leaned down and kissed him.
    A few days after Grandpa passed away I watched a movie that I had been wanting to see for quite awhile. THe movie was a love story and as I watching with a friend - he kept asking me "why aren't you crying- you always do during these sappy movies." I said, I just watched my grandmother say goodbye to my grandpa - the love of her life---they have the GREATEST love story and I saw it first hand. A movie will never compare to it!!!

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  9. I remember that Uno game (of course Des won't)!!! I remember he would say "cool it, Raeola"! he he good memories! Thanks for sharing this Ais.

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