Real David H.

I think the next several months of March are going to be a bit tough — not only was my grandfather born in March, he passed away in March.

Today, just shy of a year of the anniversary of his death, would have been his 85th birthday.

Today I moved my last long run for Shamrock from Saturday and knocked out 8.5 miles as a way to pay tribute to him. I thought a lot about him today, much like I have on many of my runs in the past year.

I’ve run on the same roads he walked on for years, often thinking about what he might have been thinking about on his walks.

On his birthday, I want to leave you with this poem I found as I was putting together a eulogy for him last year. It sums up well what my grandfather meant to me and my family.

We love and honor you Grandpa
With all our hearts…Forever
You are a part of our happiness
Cherished and respected

Our esteem for you…
It grew throughout our lives
Your love wasn’t valued for love’s sake alone
To us, this love has become your legacy
It has transcended the life you lived
And has not only filled our hearts with happy memories but also has encouraged us to be better
To be more like the type of person you were

A person of love and kindness
A true friend
Caring and compassionate
Loyal beyond words

We love you Grandpa
With all our hearts…Forever
For supporting us
Encouraging us
Balancing the truth you spoke
With the love you felt
So that we were both improved and protected
Through your enduring presence
And patient, loving example

We respect you Grandpa
And we’ll endeavor to honor you
Not only through our words
But also through our deeds
Meekly trying to achieve the measure of the person you were
And hoping our attempts will bring you pride and satisfaction
From your rightful vantage point in heaven

For we love you Grandpa
And we want to honor you
Forever