• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simple Stylings
  • About
  • Home
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Home
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » About Simple Stylings

    Love and Loss

    Published: Jun 27, 2014 by Simple Stylings · This post may contain affiliate links · 37 Comments

    Good morning friends.

    It's been a difficult and weird week for me. I lost my grandfather a week ago. Wow, that feels real to say.

    He was 88 years old and lived a great life, I just didn't expect to lose him yet. Granddaddy Ted was an amazing and interesting man. He was in the Navy and served in World War II in the South Pacific.

    He had great stories, he loved my grandma and faithfully served our family and his country. I think he loved making his grandchildren and great grandchildren laugh more than anything.

    I was lucky enough to have grown up near most of my family and was I able to be around my grandparents for much of my life. And, it makes me so happy that my son has been able to get to know them too.

    Recently granddaddy mailed my son some coins and little man was ecstatic!  He loved being around his grandchildren. He loved giving to us. He was a kind and gentle soul and I'm thankful for all the sweet memories.

    These are only a few things about him and his life but he was so much more to all of us.

    IMG_3792

    The service was a military service and it was beautiful. American flags, veterans and gun salutes. It was special and I really think it gave us some peace.

    photo 1

    I haven't been able to write much this week but something just wasn't sitting right with me.

    During all of this I felt uneasy, not only because it all felt surreal but also because no one knew. You, my readers, no one other than family and friends. I kept trying to figure out where this was coming from. Several times over the past few days I almost posted about granddaddy on Instagram and Facebook but the feeling that I "had to" irritated me.

    Why did I feel the need to post about this personal experience? Is social media that addicting? It was really driving me crazy. Then it finally clicked. I share so many other aspects of our lives with you, our projects, our pets, our family, my heart, that it felt like I was hiding something. I consider many of you friends and I'm so thankful for my loyal readers that I felt dishonest.

    Once I figured this out it made me feel better. I didn't have to be mad at social media. I don't have to feel like I'm selling my soul. All I needed was to share our life, the good and the bad, because that's what it is...Life.

    I learned a lot this week about love and family and what the people in our lives mean to us. That no matter what we're family. We should stand by each other in love. We should help each other in the joy and the pain. Silly things should not pull us apart, nope, God's plan for us is much greater than that.

    We've been going through a lot lately, mostly the busyness of life, but when things seem cloudy and gray I need Him to lead me. Life is hard.

    "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25: 4-7

     I love this happy picture from the day.

    IMG_3843-1

    I think the blessing in loss is that love finds a way to shine through. However tragic the loss there is usually love waiting to rise up and comfort. Our family experienced an outpouring of love this week and we are grateful. Thank you all who prayed and offered words of comfort.

    And to juxtapose the loss we faced we also celebrated little man's 6th birthday. Talk about joy and pain, up and down. I'm exhausted. But, I've never seen so much joy and excitement from my sweet boy in one short period. In a way I think it was a blessing for us, a reprieve.

    This picture says it all!

    IMG_7564

     We didn't do anything fancy, we just had friends and family over to enjoy some backyard play, pizza and lots of Legos!!

    We spent a lot of time in the yard over the weekend getting ready for the party and we really took notice some beautiful things in our tiny little slice of earth. I'll leave you with some pictures we captured of life right outside our door.

    There's something about new life that breeds hope for the future don't you think?

    IMG_7477

    Our DIY planter box filled with flowers.

    IMG_7493

    Do you spy the baby bird beaks in the picture below?

    IMG_7464

    Pebbles in my son's playset instead of sand.

    IMG_7507

    The beginnings of our labor of love garden.

    IMG_7499

    A random flower had fallen to the ground and I stuck it on our beautiful bird house, one of my favorite things in our yard. Old and new.

    IMG_7489

    Thursday night after granddaddy passed away I was talking to little man in his bed. I was trying to explain what was going on in simple words his tiny heart would understand. He didn't say much, just listened and when I was getting ready to leave he put his hands up like this and didn't say a word.

    IMG_3895

    Granddaddy used to put his hands together like this and pretend it was a fish swimming through the air to get us and there isn't a child in our family that wouldn't recognize and remember this. That was all my heart needed to see. My son knew his great granddaddy, at least for awhile, but that's all that matters.

    We will miss him dearly. Thank you for faithfully reading.

    siggy

    More About Simple Stylings

    • My Blogging Story
    • Survey Results: All The Home Decor
    • Hello 2020 / 2-Minute Reader Survey + A GIVEAWAY!
    • I'M BAAAAACK!!!! And we've been busy!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. vegunta

      January 18, 2021 at 7:53 am

      Classic Air Conditioner

      Reply
    2. Elaine Conner Todd

      June 29, 2014 at 1:00 am

      Summer, I have never met you, but I grew up with your mom and your aunt Kathy. Your grandmother was there for me when I lost my Mother. She is a very special lady.Your grandfather was a good caring, loving and good Christian Man. You are a very fortunate lady to have had such loving parents and grandparents.
      I am sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family. God bless you.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 29, 2014 at 8:17 am

        Thanks so much Elaine! I'm so glad you commented here and it's nice to "meet you". I'm so glad that you loved my grandparents too and I am so thankful for the time that we had with granddaddy.

        Reply
    3. [email protected]

      June 28, 2014 at 8:15 am

      So so sorry again for your loss.
      And happy birthday to your little man.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 28, 2014 at 11:18 pm

        Thank you so much Julia, I really appreciate it!

        Reply
    4. Debbie Hogan

      June 28, 2014 at 1:23 am

      So sweet! I'm in tears. Grandaddy loved you and all his grand and great grands!
      Your pics are beautiful as usual!

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 28, 2014 at 8:02 am

        Thanks mom, I know he did!

        Reply
    5. Kayla @ KR Dixon Designs

      June 28, 2014 at 12:54 am

      Awwww Summer such a hard time to go through a loss like that. I haven't yet had to say goodbye to a grandparent but mine are around the same age and I know it is coming soon. I'll be praying for you and your family. Such a sweet little thing your boy did! Those are the moments that make the hard times a little easier. :)

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 28, 2014 at 8:02 am

        Thanks so much Kayla! It was hard but I'm so thankful to have had him around for so long!

        Reply
    6. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com

      June 28, 2014 at 12:18 am

      This is so beautiful, Summer! Right from your heart! So glad you have such precious memories of your Granddaddy! Will be praying for you in this season on loss.... Thankful tho' for that verse in Psalms "joy comes in the morning!" Glad for the joy that L brings to your life. It feels like we are walking the same journey as our daughter begins gr 1 too! :)

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 28, 2014 at 8:03 am

        Thanks so much Kendra! I am thankful that we had him for so long and having littles around helps so much! I can't believe kindergarten is already over, right?!?!

        Reply
    7. Beth

      June 27, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Man you really had all ends of the emotional spectrum these past couple weeks! You are not selling your should for sharing. I know what you mean though but I am glad you told us and I am glad you got to end the week on a happy note with that precious boy!

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 10:37 pm

        Thanks so much Beth! This bloggy, social media thing is such a tough balance but we did end on a high note! Thanks for your sweet words!

        Reply
    8. Christine

      June 27, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      Really beautifully put Summer. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:55 pm

        Thanks Christine!

        Reply
    9. cassie

      June 27, 2014 at 7:03 pm

      that last photo has me so teary eyed, summer!!! your little guy is so sweet. happy birthday to him!
      and i want to say you are sooooooo lucky to have had your grandfather for so long. my grampa was so special to me, but he passed away from cancer when i was 9 and i still miss him, and i wish my kids had met him. he's adore them! i am so glad your little guy got to know him and you got to witness that. thinking of you and sending you lots of love.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:55 pm

        Aww man, I'm making people cry today :( Thank you Cassie for your sweet note and I'm sorry you lost your grandfather. I am thankful that we had a long time with him!

        Reply
    10. [email protected]

      June 27, 2014 at 11:46 am

      Beautifully written,(tears on my face) Summer! Sounds like your grandfather was a great man! It was his time to go. So sorry for your lost, keeping you and your family in my thoughts!Hugs♥

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:56 pm

        Aww, thank you so much Aniko! He had a great 88 years here!

        Reply
    11. Jeanine

      June 27, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Summer, I am so sorry for your loss. The last picture of your son's hands brought tears to my eyes when you explained its symbolism. Your grandfather sounded like a great man. I am thankful for his service for our country.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:56 pm

        Thank you so much Jeanine! He was a great man and I am thankful for our veterans too!

        Reply
    12. Rachel

      June 27, 2014 at 10:25 am

      I'm so sorry for your loss, Summer. He sounds like a wonderful man!
      And happy birthday to Liam!!! First grade, here he comes!!!

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:57 pm

        Thanks so much Rachel!! I can't believe kindergarten is over :(

        Reply
    13. Lesley Metcalfe

      June 27, 2014 at 10:08 am

      So sorry for your loss, Summer. This was a lovely post; your grandfather sounds like he was a wonderful man. All the best to you and your family as you cope through this difficult time.

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:57 pm

        Thank you so much Lesley, I really appreciate your sweet note and well wishes!

        Reply
    14. [email protected]

      June 27, 2014 at 10:03 am

      Summer, Thank you for sharing your loss with us through such a lovely post. Hugs to you. Beautiful photos. Happy Birthday to your darling son! xo, Emily

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:58 pm

        Thanks Emily, you're so sweet!

        Reply
    15. Jill Kenley

      June 27, 2014 at 10:02 am

      Great tribute to a great man. He was loved by many!

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:58 pm

        Thanks so much Jill! He was!

        Reply
    16. Krystine @ www.Krystine.edwards.com

      June 27, 2014 at 9:51 am

      I just cried. I am so sorry. I lost my grandfather the day before my birthday many years ago. He was more like my dad since I grew up without one. It's hard to say good bye, time does heal the pain. Thinking about you and your family

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:59 pm

        Thanks Krystine! I'm sorry for you loss and glad you had a wonderful grandfather in your life. They are the best!

        Reply
    17. Mallory

      June 27, 2014 at 9:19 am

      What a beautiful post, sweet friend. Your honestly and outlook on things are so refreshing. L is one lucky little guy! Prayers for your family and hoping that you have a relaxing weekend!
      xo

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 9:59 pm

        Thanks so much sweet friend!!

        Reply
    18. Amber

      June 27, 2014 at 8:52 am

      Oh Summer, what a beautiful post in so many ways. Praying for a relaxing, peace filled weekend. You are precious and are blessed to be close to family and friends!

      P.S. I adore your honesty!

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 10:00 pm

        Thank you so much Amber, I'm glad you like it and I really appreciate you kind words!

        Reply
    19. Lisa @ Shine Your Light

      June 27, 2014 at 8:48 am

      Summer, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather sounds wonderful - how blessed you were to have him in your life, and for your son to know him. I never knew either of my grandfathers and both my grandmothers passed away when I was growing up, and I think of them all often and wish I could have the chance to sit down with them and hear their stories. It fills up my heart to hear about your little boy remembering him with the fishy hands, and to see his joy at his birthday party. Having kiddos around is so therepeutic and good for the soul when life is hard! xxoo

      Reply
      • Simple Stylings {For The Semi-Creative Mind}

        June 27, 2014 at 10:01 pm

        Thanks so much Lisa! Oh, the little ones do help so much! Grandparents really are special and I'm so grateful for the time we did have!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Summer! The creator and voice behind the lifestyle blog, Simple Stylings. My goal is to help you create simple style in your home and life. I am passionate about budget decorating, stylish design, travel and healthy living

    More about me →

    Receive our posts in your inbox Subscribe now!

    Popular Posts

    • Easy Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
    • Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas + 2 Recipes!
    • Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
    • Cowboy Caviar: An Easy Healthy Snack for Everyone

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Press

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Simple Stylings