At around 3 am this morning, my grandfather, (my mother's father,) Charles LaPradd, exhaled his last breath here on this earth, and closed his eyes in rest. He was surrounded by loved ones in a hospital suite that overlooked Paynes Prairie, and his last chapter here ended very peacefully. My mother described him as looking so young, like a baby lying there; at peace, with his skin still so smooth on his face, even at 78.
It was Mark Twain who pondered, "Why is it that we rejoice at a birth and grieve at a funeral? It is because we are not the person involved." And while I'm sure Pop came into this world kicking and screaming like the rest of us, I'm so glad he left in peace.
He's requested that his ashes be spread beneath the Pecan Tree at his farm, with no funeral but a family gathering. I pray that while the earth is absorbing his ashes, Heaven is restoring and perfecting him.
Our merciful Savior, hold him Yourself, bless him and keep him so that we can see him again soon.
