Together Forever

It's been a month, which has given more than sufficient time to gather my thoughts and finally write them down. I'll start from the beginning...
My Grandfather has always been a person in my life that I have enjoyed spending time with. I can remember as a child standing on my bed at night, looking out my window waiting for my Grandparents to "finally" arrive at my house. As I have grown older I have come to realize what a blessed person I am for having such wonderful Grandparents, especially my Grandfather, and for the memories of him that will last forever.
Labor Day weekend my family caravaned down to Highland, Utah to meet my Grandparents along with my mother. They had traveled there a few days before in hopes that my Grandpa could get some medical help at the University hospital. Within a few short days, the liver disease that was taking over my Grandpa's body, had finally taken it's toll. When we arrived in Utah, it was a bitter sweet sight to see my family gather around my sick Grandfather and tell him we loved him. He was able to share his experiences that he has had the past few days being in such a close position to the veil. He said that he had seen and talked with our Heavenly Father, and that he had a new assignment if he was ready to go. He gave us each a hug and whispered " I Love You," in our ears. He was not able to see very well, and it was so cute that he would touch our cheeks with his hand to feel our faces. He said many times that one of the most important things we have in this life is our testimony, and that we should hold tight to it. He said never lose it, Satan is trying so hard to take it away, never let him. What a wonderful opportunity we had to hear the testimony of such a wonderful, spiritual man. It's moments like those that we live for.
Within the next few days my Grandpa's health slowly declined, and as I sat as his bedside holding his hands, I thought how grateful I am for the gospel in my life. To know that I will see this great man again one day, was the greatest blessing I could ever have. My Grandfather, Larry Barnes Hansen, passed away September 4th 2008, and what a sad, but yet very happy day that was, for I know that even though he left his family here on earth, he was greeted and is with family in heaven.
As I have pondered the last month I have remembered the "achin- for it's," the whiskerings, the loud boisterous laugh, the firm, strong hugs, and the kind, gentle, vibrant blue eyes. I can remember the smell of his jackets and the touch of his hands. I remember his good advice, and the way that my friends adored him. I will never forget the encouragement he gave after many hard basketball games. He was my biggest fan. I remember the rides on the tractors, and the times he lead us around on the horse. I remember the neon pink swim trunks at camp, and the the skit night that he and Grandma actually had a skit. I remember the pats on the back, and the words, "I'm proud of you Heidi, you did good." I remember his boots, and the characteristic walk that lead them around. I remember his smile and his just fingers wave. But most of all I will never forget the way he lit up when his family was together.
I am so grateful to know that there is a plan set for us all, and that we as a family are together forever. And so it is now that I feel again like a child, but this time staring into the night sky waiting to "finally" see my Grandpa once again.