We Miss Papa

I haven't posted on the blog in a while, because it's been hard to know how to write this post. In March, we went to Florida for a three-day visit to Jeremy's parents that turned into a three-week trip, which we really believe God planned out for us in order to have us be in Florida right when we were. Jeremy's dad, the kids' Papa, passed away on March 13, 2017.

He was such a good grandfather. My kids miss him every day. We talk a lot about Papa around here, where he is, what he might be doing, when we will get to see him again. I am glad that "we do not mourn as those who have no hope," (1 Thess 4:13), but still we mourn.

Papa becoming Papa! Meeting Iain, his first grandchild.

And meeting Cory.

Papa and Laina. They had a really special bond, these two.

Papa the teacher--always teaching something: science, building stuff, technology, history, about Jesus.

Back when we only had three kids, we spent a week at the beach with Grammy and Papa. It was the first time they met Laina.

Always a favorite Brannon family pastime.

And this one: post-marriage, pre-any kids!

Grammy and Papa with the boys at my mom's house.

One thing we've been very thankful for is Papa's Blog. He set up this blog years ago as a way to connect with the kids, and although he didn't post very much in the last few years, it's got some good (and hilarious) stuff on it. Skits, stories, lessons, pictures, it's so great to have it.

Jeremy and his dad before our wedding.

He officiated both his sons' weddings.

Meeting tiny baby Mason!

Papa and Laina after a long day spent at the Georgia Aquarium.

And meeting Ivy.

This one was during another beach vacation, two years ago. 

Papa indulging in a little Ivy Therapy.

Papa and Ivy

After Mason's baby dedication at our church.

At Ivy's first birthday party.

The whole family.

Ivy just told me this morning, three months later, that she remembered when she "sing-ed songs to Papa to make him feel better." She remembered singing the ABC song to him before he passed away. She said, "And now he feel better-ed." And she's right. Because of our inheritance in Jesus, the salvation and hope and life He secured for us through His blood, Papa feels eternally better. And we do too.