Losing Grandpa

Pin It Justin's Grandpa Bartlett passed away last night. Ahhh... it is so hard to lose those you love, even when they have lived a long and happy life.
I never knew either of my grandpas growing up. They were both gone before I was born. Then I got married and my husband had this FABULOUS grandpa. We loved spending time with him and grandma. Sometimes they would stop in on their way back to Traverse City or come down for a party or for a quick game of golf. These were all sweet moments to spend with them.

I saw a lot of my husband in Grandpa Bartlett. Hard work ethic, love of family, joy and excitement about life, magnetic personality, and a way with people... these were all character traits that they shared. It made me realize the value of knowing and spending time with your family. I don't think I would know my husband as well as I do today, if I had not known his grandpa.

Here are some sweet memories of Grandpa we are left with:

Our first child...named after Grandpa. They came to see us at the hospital the very next day. 

Four generations of good-looking Bartlett men

A party at the house in Lake City. A spot Grandpa loved.

Grandpa and Spence

A night with Grandpa and Grandma at their home in Traverse. We ate, played cards and caught up with each other. We were so lucky they were so close to us in our first few years of marriage.

Spencer and Spencer. Our son is a constant reminder of Grandpa... right down to the spiky hair.

Another visit and some gifts for Grandpas birthday. Any thoughtful gift usually brought tears to his eyes.

Making a plane to bring to Grandpa in the hospital.

Grandpa's El Camino.
When I told the boys that Grandpa went to heaven and we were not going to see him anymore Jack said, "But how will Grandpa get to heaven? We have his car in the pole barn?"

The last visit with Grandpa. 

We will never forget that smile.