Randall, Carter and I. April 29th 2009 at the Silver Springs Bowling Lanes after Carter's first bowling experience. This was in "The Villages" in Lady Lakes FL when we went to visit.
The next set of photos are of my Maternal Grandfather (My Mom's Father) Francis "Frank" Hardy. He passed away quite unexpectedly before Carter was 3, in March 2009. Today Carter and I were driving. I am not sure what he saw, heard, felt, remembered....but something, most likely the gift of God's Grace touched Carter. He randomly asked about "Grandpa Hardy." That would be Great Grandpa Hardy to Carter. He never had the chance to meet Grandpa Hardy. Wasn't cause we didn't try...or have our bags packed and ready for a long car ride (other powers were at play)....but Carter did get to see Grandpa Hardy via the amazement of Skype. Grandpa Hardy was our "Fun Grandpa"...the grandpa who you always knew what your Birthday & Christmas gift were..the size & color were always right. We could wander around his backyard, hang in the hot tub, play w/ his rotary dial phones, drive his golf cart....swim in any pool...play bocce ball...etc. Carter has had a difficult time understanding who Grandpa Hardy was. He talks about the dishes/blankets/flashlights/silver-wear/books/ornaments/photos/misc items etc. that are around the house. The main thing, our "Grandfather Clock." It may not be quite as amazing as a typical "Grand Father Clock"...however it IS amazing and our GRANDFATHER clock. It keeps our time. It watches us daily. Sits in the room that our lives come back to and center around at the end of each evening, day in and day out.
So for what ever reason Carter talked about Grandpa Hardy today....I'd like to think that is was because we've kept him in our every day live "talk"....but in reality I know...without a doubt...he touched Carter's shoulder...and reminded him to mention his name...so that at the end of our day...we feel the importance of love, life & the big picture.
Grandpa although it's not your birthday/ the day you went to meet our Lord/ or all the other significant days of your life...it's a day that you've been in our hearts/head/voice today....
......THANK YOU
--This is Grandpa Hardy when he was in the Air force. He was a radio tech....someone mentioned that yesteryears raido tech is the equivalent of an Navy Nuke or an Army Ranger. Makes one realllllly wonder.
This photo was apparently from my Maternal Grandmothers, Mother's house in Waco TX. This would have been when my grandfather was ~ 20-25 yrs old from what I understand.
Another photo from his Air Force days.
