Fare thee well, Grampy

Today is the day we say goodbye to the physical being of Grampy Stevens. I should like to make it clear that we only say goodbye to a vessel when people pass, as we have the benefit of their love, their wisdom and their memory to carry us through the remainder of our days in this world. So long as there is memory, there is never loss. Just a transformation.

Grampy is a wonderful man. A hard working, patriot who is a veteran of two wars. A wonderful father, a wonderful husband and a super grandfather and great-grandfather.

For those of us who benefited from his touch...we are so fortunate. For those of us who mourn...I should like to remind them (and myself) that we have only lost the physical being. Not the man himself. As Dock says, neither Polio, the Japanese, the Koreans, the years in the mill nor pneumonia and cancer will ever take his spirit.

*doffs hat and lowers head to one of the world's better people*

Grampy...wherever you may be today...please know that we love you, we respect you and you will never be far from our hearts. Especially Dock's.