A Tribute to Grandpa Marler

Today is an important day in the Marler Family. It is the 1 year anniversary that our precious Luther Marler went home to be with Jesus. Luther was a dad, husband, friend, story teller, provider, and WWII veteran. To me, and to eight others, he was simply grandpa. He was also hilarious. The last time I talked with him before he died, he called me his “little sugar lump peach pie.” Oh grandpa . . . only he could refer to me as a “lump” and it be endearing.

March 7th 2010, on this side of heaven, was a day I wish would fade from my memory. My parents and sisters and I were on our way to Chicago to visit grandpa. He had recently been diagnosed with cancer and we wanted to visit him to bring laughter and encouragement. We were an hour away from his home when we got a call that he was in the hospital and had just passed away. Silence. Shock. Sorrow. Disbelief. The planned visit of laughter and encouragement turned into days of sadness and tears.

But I am not writing to share my side of the story. March 7th 2010, on the other side of heaven, was a day I wish I could get a glimpse of and lock into my memory. That was the day grandpa’s cancer was gone, his eye sight returned, his youth was restored, and he was in the presence of God. Grandpa just couldn’t wait one more hour to get to heaven! Wonder. Awe. Grace. Complete Belief. March 7th was not an end, but a glorious beginning.

So Happy Birthday grandpa! Today is a day to celebrate your first birthday as your new self. I’m sure this first birthday trumps any birthday you had here on earth, even though we did our best to make them special for you.

Grandpa, I have a confession. Sometimes, living in this world, it is hard to believe that heaven really exists. Could an Almighty Creator God really have compassion on me and invite me into His presence for eternity? I asked myself this question today as I stared out my window into the gray, rainy sky. Then, I remembered the time I was flying to Boston this September over a rain storm. I was amazed because as the plane flew over dark rain clouds we were surrounded by brilliant sunshine. The scene was truly breathtaking. I found it fascinating that the people on the ground could not see the sun through the clouds, but I was squinting from its bright yellow light.

Well, today I’m on the ground and all I see are the gray clouds, but I know the sun is shining right above them. I have seen and felt the sun before, and I will see it and feel its warmth again soon. I have not entered into heaven, but I have known God’s presence here on earth, and He reassures me of His faithful promise to bring me into His Kingdom once my work here on earth is finished. I have hope knowing the other side of heaven is just beyond the gray clouds.

I miss you grandpa. Today my mind is busy remembering you and the legacy of love, generosity, humor, and story telling you left behind. I will see you again. Until that day, you will always be my little sugar lump.

Love,
Lindsey