Dr. Chris

Chris's first family function was Lorena's homecoming from her mission. There were so many there that I didn't have a chance to introduce Chris to grandpa. A couple of days later I was talking to grandpa & we were talking about Chris & he told me that he recognized Chris & that he was an eye doctor in town. I quickly corrected him & told him he must just look like someone he knows.

I think it took about 3 mores times of meeting Chris before he finally rememebered that he wasn't an eye doctor.

Britt's Tribute to Grandpa Hendricks

Blane Elmer Hendricks
May 13, 1928 - August 28, 2008

The program cover read "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a well preserved body...but rather to skid in broadside, used up, worn out and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, What a ride!"



Never was there a saying more fitting for my grandpa. His body was anything but well preserved with a glass eye, a hand severed years ago, reattached but rendered useless. Yet, in his 80 years of life he truly did "LIVE". Just the day before he passed he was out on the farm roping and riding. I would imagine that he would be disappointed in the way that he passed. A much grander exit he would have envisioned. Certainly a car accident down a deep ravine pulling his trailer, or a fall from a cliff on horseback would have been much more fitting (and expected), but instead he passed in his sleep. It just doesn't seem fitting.

As I have been reading tributes on my cousin's and family's blogs of grandpa, it brings up many of my own memories of him. I wish I could say that most of them are the warm fuzzy ones; but in all truthfulness, far too many of my memories with him were of me being scared to death. From the horseback rides along a steep cliff where I'm begging and pleading to turn back; to the times where I was one of his guinea pigs and he'd put me up on one of his wild horses inevitably getting bucked off; or of the times he'd take us waterskiing only to have him gun the engine throwing me into a face plant every time. No wonder, I don't waterski or ride horses. : ) All joking aside, I have so many wonderful memories of him as well. I spent the day on Friday on his farm reflecting and remembering. Oh how the memories came flooding in and the tears soon followed.

Grandpa was so brave (or possibly crazy : )) but I don't know that he knew fear. That is one thing I would like to take from him. To live life to the fullest, to enjoy every minute of it so that one day I can look at my life and say "Wow, what a ride!"


What a blessing it was at his funeral service to hear the life sketch and the many stories of his life. Over 100 beautifully-penned pages had been written declaring his love for my grandma, his testimony of the gospel, and of his love of life. I hope that I can live to be half the kind of person that he was. He will be missed by many, as he was loved by many. I am grateful for him and for the life and legacy which he lived, and left, for our family.

__________________________



(Ironically my grandpa was selling several of his horses on Saturday. At the event, they paid tribute to him by bringing out his most beloved horse followed by a moment of silence. They presented my grandma with the beautiful bouquet.




_________________________


(the family after the funeral)


(even Grandpa's horse made it to the funeral. He would have wanted it that way)

We remember...

What a special but sad day the funeral was. I'm grateful that there was still so much to smile about. Grandpa's left some funny memories & some wonderful writings. I hope to get a copy of them.

There were so many that loved grandpa. They all had fun stories to share.

Our Cute Grandma

I think that grandma is cuter then ever & look fabulous at grandpa's funeral. On Saturday night Jenna & I stopped by to give grandma a gift & we found her dying her hair. It was such a cute sight. She had a cape on & was so embarrassed that we caught her. We thought she looked so cute.

This picture is from the Monday night viewing. This was at the end of the night...she still looks great! I think purple is a great color on her.