Pumpkin Patch

We had a fabulous time at the Pumpkin Patch with Mimi, Grandma VB, Sara, Krislyn, and Kendan! Allie picked out the perfect pumpkin, and she carried it everywhere! After picking out a pumpkin, she played and rode the train. Sara took pictures of those, so I hope to get a copy soon.

Daniel C. VanderBroek, resting in the arms of Jesus

September 19, 2012, was the day my Grandfather, Daniel Cornelius VanderBroek, decided to leave us and join his brother, sister-in-law, and friends with Christ.  It was a very difficult week as my parents were out of town, and I was trying to handle things that needed to be done on the Alabama side.  Sara, Whitney, Allie Beth, and I traveled up on Saturday for the funeral on Wednesday, September 26.  Life as we know it will never be the same without him.  Grand Haven will never be the same without him. The winters will never be the same without him. Yet, I rejoice that he knew My SAVIOR and LORD so that I will again see him one day.

On a side note: A special thank you to Bobby Redmond for taking pictures during the grave-side service and Linda Moore for videoing it for me.

 To the right of Grandpa's grave rests his best friend and neighbor, Ken Van't Hof. His plots include his daughter and wife, who is still with us.

 Allie Beth sitting in his tractor seat.

 The VanderBroek family.

 Grandpa's brother, Paul, with his daughter and niece.

This moment was probably one of the most special for me personally. This man was the first one to arrive at the funeral home. It is his mailman. This spoke volumes to me. How many people have their mailman come to their funeral? Not many!! Most people do not even know their names. He talked about how he used to bring mail to Granpa's Shop before his route was moved to the Cottage. Grandpa would invite him in, and they would have a drink, talk, and pick vegetables out of his garden for him to take home.  If only I would reflect Christ's kindness as Grandpa did to so many.

 Linda, Rhonda, David, Bobby, and Darla traveled all the way from Alabama to be there for my parents. What special friends they are!!

 Uncle Paul and his family.  On numerous occasions, Allie Beth thought Uncle Paul was Gramps. It made me cry when she went up to him one time and said, "Hey Grandpa." He does look so much like him!

 Our favorite meal while in Grand Haven, MI, is Fricano's Pizza. There is no better pizza on earth, in my opinion. Grandpa would always order it before we arrived and have it sitting on the table when we came to town.  There was nothing like the smell of Fricano's as we walked in the door and sit at the table to watch the lighthouse out the window.  Because Grandpa always had it for us at the house, we had never eaten at the restaurant, which only serves the pizza.  After the visitation, the entire family went to Fricano's to enjoy Grandpa's favorite meal. A perfect memory of him.

 Allie placing a flower on the tombstone.

Uncle Mark placing Grandpa's tool box with his ashes in the grave.  For the last few years, Gramps has told me numerous times how he wanted to be buried in this box. His father was a roofer, and my Gramps and U. Mark followed in his footsteps. His father made the tool box and passed it down to Gramps, and Gramps passed it down to U. Mark for awhile.  He requested that U. Mark place the box in the grave. I know it was hard for Mark to do it, but it was exactly how Gramps told me he wanted it when he passed away.

On a lighter note, you'll notice I'm not in any picture. It's because you could find me running around chasing a little two-year-old around the cemetery.
Grandpa's funeral was very special. The ending made me cry pretty hard--not that I wasn't already crying--because it was special to have the military honor. I should have taken a picture of the flag sitting on the fireplace before I left, but I'll get it next time I go up.

Grandpa, you will be missed more than you ever realized. I love you.