Life & Death

Today was filled with so many emotions.
My dear brother & his beautiful, amazing wife gave birth
to their first child, Alayah Mae this morning.

Today was also my Grandfather's funeral.
It seems like lately so many ironic things are taking place.
Many people have pointed out ways grandpa is "showing up"
in there life since he has left us here.
I can't think of a better gift then to have the sweetest
little blessing, Alayah, join our family on a day
we have come together to honor grandpa's life.

Wasn't he handsome??

Here is what I said at the funeral, followed by 364 pictures:

Donald Torgeson was a great man & being his granddaughter was a continuous source of joy.

As a child, the second we came in the door we would race through the house yelling “Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!” We would run into his arms and shower him with hugs and kisses.

He knew just the way to a child’s heart, he would count out 10 M&M’s for each of us.

Throughout our stay at his house he would tell us stories, play games, sing songs, and teach us to pray.

He would take us camping where he taught us to fish and live off the land, even if that meant a 5^th wheel with cable television and a microwave oven.

He took us on road trips to Disneyland, always picking the hotels with swimming pools because he knew we loved to swim.

Grandpa love music & loved to dance, he was the life of every party.

He was always completely supportive and encouraging in each & every endeavor throughout the years as we grew up.

When we lost grandma several years ago, grandpa seemed a little lost, we all were.

I remember him saying to me as he stood in his kitchen “Sarah, I need to ask you something. Bonnie liked to have a lot of rugs all over the floor in here” I looked down and sure enough there were 4 or 5 mats scattered around the kitchen floor. “Do you think it would be ok if I got rid of some of these? I just don’t get it, if I spill something on one of them I have to wash the whole mat, wouldn’t it make more sense to just wash the floor?” He was very serious, he didn’t want to mess this up, he was in charge of everything now, even these little details he wasn’t used to attending to. So I gave him permission to get rid of as many rugs as he wanted, he looked so relieved.

I was quite impressed at how well grandpa took charge of his life at that point.

He was amazing.

I feel so blessed that he got to be such a big part of the first 3 1/2 years of my daughter’s life

Having him live down the street made stopping by for visits a regular occurrence. She delighted in his hugs, his smile and little offerings of chocolate, just as I had as a child.

Ava always asked to go see him and even serious little Norah got a big smile on her face the first time I put her in his arms, he had that effect on people.

I would often receive calls of the most urgent manner, grandpa needed me and I would rush to his side carrying his emergency stash of sugar cookies or 3 flavors of milkshakes he had specifically requested.

He always seemed to be able to dream up something he needed me to bring, sometimes as often as 3 times in one day.

Weather that be ice cream, Kleenex or Tylenol I quickly realized it was less about the shopping list and more about the fact that he just wanted me there with him.

There were definitely times where I found myself saying “That Man!” just as my grandmother always had. In those moments I couldn’t help but laugh, that man may have been a bit exasperating at times but he also filled every heart around him with pure joy.

I feel so blessed and thankful for every moment we got to spend together.

As I laid my head down to sleep after the last fireworks
were enjoyed on the Forth of July I said a little prayer.

I have always said prayers before I go to bed.
A great man got me in the habit of that.

This particular evening, the night before my birthday
I prayed that Grandpa would let go.
That he would go and be with the Lord and reunite with his beautiful wife,

my grandmother Bonnie.

I knew that was what he wanted.
He was tired, tired of barely existing, tired of depending on people for everything. Exhausted from his body working so hard to recover every next set back over and over again.

So I said a little prayer, and the next morning it was answered. He got his wish.
It was time.

Grandpa lived a full rich life filled with laughter & lots
of love. He danced, he played, he partied it up.
He enjoyed every day to it’s fullest.

He loved us all and we all adored him.

So it may of not made for the best birthday for me,
but I did get my wish. Grandpa is at peace now.
And I was reminded again of the power of prayer.

I ended up with a birthday filled with thoughts
of a wonderful man so close to my heart.
I got to hold tight to my family and rejoice in
all of the happy memories he brought to us.

If I know one thing for sure, I know that heaven has a whole lot more singing going on now and a room filled with people

“Doin’ the Don”

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA

Little Norah

The kids

Little Miss Ava

Kate, Abby & Patti

Linda

Auntie Jessica

Grandpa

Tiffani & Colton

Mike & Kristen

Tiffani & Ava

Ava

Abby

Sleepy Norah

Best Friends

Tiffani, Erik & Best Husband Ever

Great Grandpa John

This cracked me up, grandpa brought a cooler filled
with beer every where he went, so to honor him someone put
this cooler outside the church.
("Sinners Welcome" read the sign on the church reader board)

Me & my uncle Scott

Jan dancing with Grandpa

My Mom dancing with her Dad

Linda & Jan

Jeff & Jessica

My Peeps

Telling Stories

Erik, John, Jeff & Mark

Grandpa loved flowers

Jeff & Ava

Flowers everywhere.

John, he was great throughout the whole day. He put together
an awesome slideshow along with giving two nice speeches.

My Love

Linda & Jessica

Kim, Abby & Linda

Colton

Erik

Jeff & John

Jessica & Dad

Dancing

Norah

Vivienne & Scott

Jan & Jessica

The kids, Final Picture with Their Dad

PrettyAnd then off to the hospital to meet the new baby.

The proud parents

Beautiful New Family

Tiny toes

Couldn't be happier for D'Auna & Chris.

What an emotional day, a beautiful baby girl was born, then a funeral for one of the best men I've ever known. Great day filled with joy, a few tears, but mostly just rejoicing in life, it's a beautiful thing.