Grandpa,
It's been nearly one month since you passed
away. My heart is still heavy and happy. I mourn for myself and how my life
will be effected with you moving on. That is as much selfish as it is natural.
With you being 98 1/2, I know you lived a long good life,
but I can't help feeling moments of sadness and that hole in my chest. You
lived a life full of love, passion, happiness and goodness. Married to your
sweetheart for 72 years prior to her passing. I can't imagine
how difficult those three years must have been for each of you. I am full of
peace, knowing the two of you are
reunited once again, and it helps take away the sting of death. That reunion is greater than any sorrow that I should
feel.
You are a role model to me in many different
ways.
Being a man of God. Always serving others,
always trusting and never wavering your faith.
A man of intellect, always found reading a
book or writing. Writing books on welfare that became published and books of life experiences for your family.
That impressive library in your den, where each book on the shelf had been read
from cover to cover. You could recall information, tell which book it came from
and which shelf and placement the book was located. Maybe this is where my
feelings stem for the desire of a home library.
The person I went to when information was needed
for a school project. At the funeral you were described as, "a man of
Google, Instagram, and Encyclopedia's [Hawke will never know what that is] all rolled up into one." That couldn't be more
fitting.
A man of perseverance. I think you
"retired" from work three different times, right?
A man of strength. Though I've had ailments
and sickness, you have out done me by far. Your physical power and energy, give
me strength in my own battles.
A man of humor. Telling jokes up until the
last time I spoke with you. I hope to develop more of this characteristic in my
life.
A man of love. Always referring to you wife
with adoration. Not once did I ever see you upset at "Mama" or spoke
in a brash way. This example you led by appropriately treating your wife helped guide me to my husband. I thank you for helping me find Ric.
A man of support and interest. Engaging in my
life with sports. You'd call the day after a basketball game asking for a
report. Then proceeding to take over the conversation rattling off my stats you'd
already read in that mornings paper. Thank you for being proud of my
accomplishments, how small or big they may be.
The clarinet. The hum of that instrument, will
always be associated with you, Grandpa.
A man of commitment. Married to my grandmother
for 72 years before her passing. You worked and stayed with the companies that gave you employment
from the beginning (great-grandfather's poultry farm, and then the Church after
that).
A man of stories. Always had one to tell from
your time in New Zealand, from childhood play, and life back in the early 1900's. Story telling, another trait I hope to develop.
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Two good
men
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After Grandma passed, Friday
nights were reserved
for "Date Night" dinners taking
Grandpa out.
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First
Thanksgiving after Grandma passed
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Using my
Respiratory Therapist skills
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Grandpa's reaction to finding out Hawke's name
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Hawke 6 weeks old.
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These two!
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My grandfather and grandmother were so special
to me. I was their "Little Biffy", their "Biffencourt". I
lived in the same house with them until I was three years old. My Mom and Dad
lived in their basement apartment. Each morning I would wake up, run upstairs
and crawl in bed with them. Grandpa would hide gummy bears around the front
room (on the piano keys, the arm rest of the chair, the fireplace mantel) and I
would need to go search for them. This might be where my love of gummy bears
came from? They certainly are nostalgic to me, and tied to wonderful memories.
Grandpa always had a headache, always. Grandpa
could fold a mouse out of his handkerchief and it would "jump" up his
arm. Grandpa could "remove his thumb" and "stick pencils or
straws up his nose". He was always full of tricks to entertain his young
grandchildren. I loved our yearly "Rudd family sleepovers". One
hundred of us piled throughout their house and backyard, up late playing games
and cards together. Cousins are the best. Family is your greatest friendship.
They taught me that.
Grandpa left a legacy for his posterity. With
his passing, and even the few years prior, my reflection on his life has caused
me to reflect on my own. What kind of legacy are you going to leave behind?
What will others remember you by? What will your children remember you as? I
have many qualities I hope to be remembered for, some I think I do well and
others still need refining. But, I hope to always be refining and never
settling.
I love you Grandpa. Please kiss Grandma for
me. We will do our best to raise Hawke as a man you would be proud of. I'll see you when my time comes.
Xx,
Biffencourt
January 4, 2017
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Grandpa & Grandma napping. Forever love.
1941
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Family Reunion at Cherry Hill Waterpark, 2014
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First Christmas after Grandma passed. Grandpa
had a sleepover
at Mom and Dad's home with all of us. He thought our silly pajama's were funny. |
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Ric wearing Grandpa's classic coat & cane
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| Visiting Gramps after a doctor appointment for baby! |
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| Camping up at Spruces, 2014 |
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August 1, 2015 Grandpa sealed our family
together for eternity
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four great men
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