Monday, October 01, 2007

Good-bye Grandpa

Last Monday, September 24th, Brent's sweet Grandpa Glen Behling passed away in his home. He was 88 years old.
This pictures was taken at Christmas time in 2005. (That was the year we were in Hawaii for most of it, so Brent was showing his Aloha spirit.)

Grandpa Behling was one of the most amazing people I have ever known. He seemed to know everything! You could ask him any question and he would know the answer. It didn't matter what the question was.

He had the most amazing testimony and he wasn't afraid to share it. He was a Patriarch and had the opportunity to give Brent his patriarchal blessing. He was a Sealer and he officiated at our wedding, as well as so many others in his family. I will always be so thankful to him for sealing me to my prince charming on that day just over 10 years ago.

I am so thankful that we got to see Grandpa at Jayson's blessing just 3 weeks before his passing. What a blessing to see him again. It had been about a year and half since we had seen him. I will always be so thankful for that.

Usually when Brent talks about his Grandpa, he talks about backpacking with him. His grandpa gave him a love of the outdoors and getting lost in it. Brent loved those time when he could be away from the world, with his Grandpa. For Grandpa's 80th birthday, he wanted to climb Half Dome in Yosemite. So, he did...and Brent got to go along. Can you imagine an 80 year old man climbing that mountain? I am trying to find the pictures Brent took of him there. They're awesome!

When I think of Grandpa Behling, I think of the fact that whenever he talked, he closed his eyes. That's when you knew he had something important to say. I used to joke that he just didn't have enough batteries left to talk and keep his eyes open. It will always make me smile when I think of it.

We are so lucky to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that we will be able to see Grandpa again, along with all those who have gone before us. We know this life isn't the end. That is such a blessing.

We love you Grandpa! See you in a little while.

4 comments:

. said...

Thanks Ashley for your post. I was going to use that picture of Brent, Grandpa and I, but you beat me to it! I was also going to use the one of Grandpa and Jayson, but Jessica beat me to that one, so alas, I have no other pictures of Grandpa... that is sad.

Jess said...

What a great post Ash! You have such an ability to express things in such a perfect way!

We sure did miss you, but know that you were there in spirit with us :). Thanks for letting Brent come. It was great to spend some time with him. He is a great guy!

Hope you are doing well! Loves

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ashley for your nice thoughts on Grandpa. He was a good man!
We missed you but we understand how that goes!!!

Anonymous said...

Well, this must be the same Glen Behling who held my hand in a movie in Bridgeport CT when he was involved with the LDS group there. That was about 1942 and I liked him very much but he was transferred to (I think) Knoxville TN. Here I am, 85 now, and wondering if he is still alive. And he's not. Even now, it leaves a little hole in my heart. I am Catholic so it wouldn't have worked out anyway, but he was a really nice guy.
I know he loved God and God loved him. 'Bye now.
Dorothy Vining
www.musingsat85.com