A Life To Be Remembered

Jack Hardesty.

But a lot of us knew him as Gramps.

And I don’t know anybody who would describe Gramps as anything less than incredible. Look at his life – Gramps was never just a dairy farmer, but everything from Berryville’s Citizen of the Year, to an active role in the church, as a chairman of the Administration Board, to president of many agricultural organizations, to serving on Clarke County’s Board of Supervisors, and many, many more titles and awards.

However, to many people, I don’t think that these are reasons why they would describe Gramps as incredible. Gramps loved well and truly cared for people, and this is what people remember. He never made you feel like just one in a crowd, but always had a way of making you feel special, loved, cherished.

I will – like so many others – miss Gramps’ hugs. He always told Anna that she gave the best hugs, but I’m glad he liked mine too. Whether it was seeing him at church, a basketball game, at the fair, or just around, he always had a smile on his face and always wanted a hug – or a handshake. I always got a hug, but more than once I witnessed Gramps correct a handshake or tell someone, “Now that’s a good handshake.”

He also had his way of making his point known. Never in a condemning, judgmental way, but he would just come across that he had been through a lot more of life, and had gotten the right way figured out. So you were best to listen to what Gramps had to say, because the next time he saw you, you could guarantee he would ask about it. This was a little bit hard for me in coming back to Uganda, because he did not think too highly of the no-insurance, no-helmet motorcycles (botas) that we use for public transportation here. “Those can’t be safe,” he told me when I showed him a picture of two little boys, the bota driver, and myself all on one. I promised him I would try my best to stay safe.

But people respected him. Probably more than any body I have ever met. Nobody wanted to disappoint Gramps, and it wasn’t out of fear of condemnation or judgment, but I think because his feelings towards others were so sincere and good that nobody wanted to let him down. He just had that affect on people.

It’s hard to be so far away and knowing that my good-bye to Gramps and last hug was ten months ago. I had been able to send him a few messages while being here and in the last one he replied to me and said that “[He] loved hearing the birds in the background and they sounded sweet like [me].” I’m glad I got to hear his voice one last time, just two weeks ago.

But I don’t think that it was a coincidence that Gramps went to be with Jesus the week of Easter. The week that we are remembering the life of our Savior going to Calvary, dying on the cross for our sins, and resurrecting to go to Heaven to be with His Heavenly Father.

This is another life to be remembered.

Jesus Christ.

I think that Gramps would want this message to be turned around this way. That as much as he would for us love to sit and reminisce on the wonderful times we’ve each had with him, he would love even more to point us each back to the cross. I feel like Gramps was always quick to comment on God’s faithfulness in hard times, peace in times of question, and strength when it seemed we couldn’t hold on anymore. These are the truths I’m holding on to now.

Saying goodbye is hard, but he gets to celebrate with our Savior. And I’m sure he is joyous. Gramps knew that times in life could be hard and difficult, but I don’t think he faith wavered – at least as long as I knew him. He lived with a view of eternity, knowing that someday he would be seated beside Jesus because of the death he died for each of us. This understanding led him to be able to love like Jesus loved, unconditionally. I will greatly miss Gramps, as so many people will, but I smile thinking about the impact he made on my life.

I know Jesus’ love better because of Gramps, and for that I am thankful.