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Old 07-14-2015, 03:57 PM   #1
GTO
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Default Memories

When my father in law passed away a few weeks ago, my son wrote this eulogy. Just wanted to share.

When I found out I lost my grandfather earlier this week, the first question to cross through my mind was "what was my favorite - my best memory with him?"

Well dozens of good times flashed in my head. But one in particular stuck.

My grandpa was more than just a grandfather. He was the man who introduced me to the lake, to the boat. He was the captain and I was his first mate.

He taught me everything important about the lake - like the best place to get ice cream by boat. He we was always up for an ice cream. Of course, anyone who knows my grandfather knows he was always up for anything he could eat.

He taught me how to navigate so we wouldn't run aground or crash into a rock. He always knew the right way to go.

I remember one bright, summer day looking over the bow of his boat and seeing rocks and shallow water below us.

I made sure he knew we were in shallow water. He made sure he let me know he knew what he was doing...that we were going the right way. He always knew the right way to go.

I remember idolizing the captain at his wheel. As soon as we pulled away from the dock, I'd look at my grampa and say the same three words he came to expect: "Can I drive?"

And every time I asked, the captain was happy to give up the wheel and let me steer for a while.

And then he had a stroke. So it was my turn to take over as captain.

I remember the first time my grandpa came back to the lake after the stroke. We took him on the boat to all his favorite places. He couldn't see where we were - but I'd slow the boat down and point over the edge.

"Grandpa, do you know where we are?"

And every time he'd tell you exactly where he was, like he was just there yesterday, pointing out the same landmark to me and asking me the same question.

I can name just about every island on the lake. I know the best places to get ice cream. And after taking a boating course, I ACTUALLY know how to watch out for rocks.

And every time it's time for a boat ride, I get behind the wheel. I'm the captain now.

This is how I will keep my grandpa with me. He taught me so much and was more than just a grandfather.

Just two days ago, while on the boat, I took the long way home.

My mom asked: "where are you going?"

I just pointed straight ahead.

There's this narrow channel tucked away between an island and the main land on Winnipesaukee. It's just big enough for one boat to go through at a time. It lets out maybe a quarter mile away on another part of the lake. It's called Sally's Gut. Nobody else will ever understand why that place is so important to me. Even I don't understand what makes it special. I just remember that my grandpa and I shared that place. And for some reason, when I was younger, it was the COOLEST place on the lake. It was our place.

I drive the boat right into the mouth of Sally's Gut...and slow down.

I just smile. Grandpa used to take me here all the time.
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:05 PM   #2
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Thanks a lot for making me cry on the bus.....now everyone is looking at me!
Seriously, a touching and heartfelt eulogy to your grandfather.....hope all your memories sustain you through this difficult time.......you're very lucky to know at an early age that family is the most important thing in life.....
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:07 PM   #3
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Default made me cry too...........

What a wonderful tribute. Anyone who has boated on this lake will understand...
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:07 PM   #4
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Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing that beautiful eulogy. Your son sounds like a fine young man.
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Old 07-14-2015, 06:43 PM   #5
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So touching....wonderful family story
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Old 07-14-2015, 07:10 PM   #6
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So sorry for you loss.

Your son is a lucky boy to have such wonderful memories. He captured them so perfectly, that I caught my breath as I finished reading.

Thank you for sharing.
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Old 07-14-2015, 08:08 PM   #7
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Default So true

Moving from one generation to another is difficult but significant. My best memories are climbing Rattlesnake , exploring the Forties, and ice cream. Thank you.
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Old 07-15-2015, 05:04 AM   #8
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What a wonderful tribute to his grandfather... beautiful.
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Old 07-15-2015, 06:04 AM   #9
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Talking Absolutely Fitting!

That eulogy was so well done. Thank you for sharing this with us.

With sympathy in the loss of your father. He sounds like a wonderful man.

Celia
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Old 07-15-2015, 06:54 AM   #10
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GTO;

You must be proud of your son to have such a wonderful understanding of family! He is a class act!

Very sorry for your loss...

Dan
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Old 07-16-2015, 08:29 AM   #11
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So sorry for your loss. Your sons wonderful tribute to his grandfather reminded me of how precious those memories will be for our grandchildren assuming that we make the time to create those memories. Time for a boat ride with my visiting granddaughter!
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Old 07-16-2015, 03:53 PM   #12
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Well this just made me cry. So sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing anyone has to be confronted with. The memories made while they were with us, thankfully stay with us forever!
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Old 07-16-2015, 05:30 PM   #13
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Sorry for your loss and you should be very proud of your son. Some of my fondest memories as a child were a result of time spent with my grandfather. Like your son, I would not be the person I am today without his influence.
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Old 07-17-2015, 12:11 PM   #14
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Great post and tribute. The 4th of July has become a time when my dad asks the family to get together at the lake. This year we spent it on the water, grilling out, and spending our most precious commodity - time - with one another. He is getting older and had some health issues that has reminded him, and us, of our mortality. The lake reminds me of the important things in life, and it sounds like it does the same for your son.
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Old 07-18-2015, 08:50 AM   #15
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Default thank you for such an awesome post...

...it was very emotional and brought back a lot of simple memories of my father and me from when I was a kid on the lake. To this day, if I'm in a stressful period, I have a recurring dream of being on the lake in a rocky area and worried about getting through, but there's my father, at the helm of his 1975 25' Sea Ray, saying, "not to worry, I'll get us through..."

Amazing how this place has such an emotional impact on so many of us and our families....
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