Goodbye Granky

| July 17 |

"Last night my sweet grandpa, Dasil Mathews, returned home to his Father in Heaven. He was 100 years old and lived a long and beautiful life…but I’ll miss him. I’ll miss his smile and his laugh, his strong hands, his reassurances that things will work out, his back rubs, his simple yet powerful prayers, his testimony. There are so many things, but most of all I’ll miss his love. I know it’s still there, but it will be different.

I feel so privileged to be part of his family and legacy, to have learned from him, and to have been loved by him. I know I’m incredibly lucky to have had him in my life for so long and I’ll cherish the many memories I have with him. I’m so glad he was mine.

I’ll miss you so much Granky! It puts a smile on my face to imagine the wonderful reunion you’re having right now with grandma, your daughters, parents and siblings, and so many others you loved in life. They’ve been waiting for you. Stay close! I promise to make sure my children know you and honor you. Until we meet again ❤

And a special thanks to my parents for being such incredible caregivers ❤"

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We headed up to Logan early. Because of Covid-19 we were not allowed to have a funeral, just a graveside service. At first I was frustrated with that, especially when I thought about all of the people in Las Vegas that would have come. But then I realized that it actually worked out perfectly. He had a big 100th birthday party with a huge crowd of his friends and family. Each one of them got to talk to him and tell him how much he meant to them. Not many people get that before they leave this earth.

We went to the funeral home first for the viewing, family prayer, etc. I didn't really want the boys to see him in the casket because I want them to remember him alive and talking and laughing. But when I realized the family prayer and Justin's duties as a pall bearer were so close together I realized we had to take them inside. Branson was a little nervous to go in, but he seemed to trust me and we just stayed near the back.

My dad and his brothers preparing to close the casket.

❤ My dad and the big boys ❤

Look at that handsomeness!

Presentation of the flag.

At the funeral we were all reminded of how Granky lived his life and the things we can learn from him. If I had to summarize it into just a few phrases it would be:

Hard working

Faithful

Always learning

Granky Tough

We had a family lunch at Vons Baer Park in Providence and the kids were in heaven running around with their cousins!

After lunch we went to the USU campus for Aggie Ice Cream! Granky was with us the last time we went there and he would be happy we went.

Uncle Justin is always up for some fun!

Branson was asleep in about .5 seconds once we got in the car. We about died when we looked back and saw how he'd fallen asleep!

I feel like it was a good send off for Granky and I know he would have been happy to have his family together. I'm sad that he's gone and that I can't call him up and chat (I used to call him about once every week or two). It feels so strange that he's not on this earth anymore. We will miss him, but I know he is happy.

The night he passed away I was talking to my mom because Preston and I were planning to head to Las Vegas the next morning to see him. She loved that we wanted to come, but told me he was in the final stages and honestly wasn't sure he'd make it until the morning. I hung up and cried. Then I went to my desk, got out a notebook, and wrote down some of things I love about him and a few lines about my favorite memories. I noted the time on the page and then a minute or two later I got a call from my dad. It was about 10:30pm and I knew this was the call. My dad told me that Granky had just passed away a couple of minutes before - right when I had been finishing up my journal entry. I was upset, but said to my dad, "I'm sad of course because I'll miss him so much, but isn't it wonderful to think about the reunion he's having with grandma and his parents right at this very moment?" He said he hadn't thought about that and thanked me for bringing it up because amidst all of the things one has to do when someone passes away he hadn't really taken the time to think about that.

My dad also mentioned more than once that he thinks Granky overheard them talking about how Preston and I were coming and that maybe that was what he needed to let go. I don't know, but it was a sweet thought and it was nice of my dad to say it. He also said to be sure to tell the boys that the letters they had written to him just a week or two before were sitting right next to his bed and that he loved them. 

I told the boys the next morning. I'm not sure Branson really understood what it really meant that he had died. Nolan was upset for just a minute and then started asking questions. What's crazy is that the Come Follow Me lesson for that week was about the Plan of Happiness and talked specifically about what happens when someone dies. This experience has sparked some really good conversations with the boys and they pray every night that "Granky will be happy in heaven."

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A sweet story from my mom:

Dasil Mathews passed away peacefully last night, Thursday, July 16th. The cause of death was multiple organ failure. 

On June 30th, Robert & Susie were at his home. He asked them how they were doing. and asked about each grandchild, and their well being. He told them that he hopes the 4th of July will be "his Independence Day".

July 4th came - he kept looking at his watch all day. When Heavenly Father denied his request, (just after 11 pm) Dasil raised his hands toward Heaven, and begged the Lord to take him. He asked why he was wasting these girls time (the caretakers), when they have better things to do. He begged the girls to "pull the plug", but there was no plug to pull (not that they would have anyway)!! The night caregiver called us (we had left about 30 minutes before) so we came running. 

We talked to him and mentioned that while he is not physically capable of doing much, Heavenly Father must still have a reason for you to stay here a bit longer. Perhaps there are still lives you are meant to touch and/or influence. Why else would Heavenly Father leave you here ??

It would take me a week to explain everything that happened, but this gentle giant of a man had such an influence on both the hospice personal and the caregivers, that I am sure they will never forget him. They asked a lot about our beliefs and our family. They couldn't love him more even if he were their own family. They spoke often of the peace they felt as they cared for him, and the constant love felt in being in his presence.

Dasil has great influence on the personel of two companies that deal with end of life care. Their offices were all buzzing about him and wanting to work with him. 

Dasil fulfilled Heavenly Father's wishes one last time, before returning to Him and his wonderful wife, Kathleen, their two stillborn daughters, and his parents and siblings.

As our friend, Kathy's physical therapist (Samantha) asked Dasil - Do you have your square dancing outfit ready ??

I wish we could see the party going on in Heaven right now. A time for some love, fun, and much needed rest.

RIP Dasil Mathews.

We love you !!