A Hero is Called Home

This weekend, our ears were keen to the sound of the telephone ringing. Would the response on the other end of the phone be one of elation, or one of sadness? Would it be the phone call to tell us that a sister was in labor (my sister-in-law’s sister is beyond her due date), or would it be that a dear grandfather had taken his last breath? Would it be a trip to Birmingham, or a trip to Florida?

The phone rang. The answer came. Ken’s maternal grandfather peacefully passed away this afternoon.

As I write, I am listening to Ken playing “It is Well With My Soul” on the piano, perfecting every note of 86 year-old Preston Duncanson’s favorite hymn, to prepare for the funeral.

Tears have been falling this afternoon, knowing that he has left his sweet Katy, his bride of 64 years behind, knowing that he is also a father, grandfather, great-grandfather that is already hugely missed, knowing that we will no longer have the privilege of sitting quietly next to him while he tells stories of the past that would be unbelievable had he not had evidence proving them. We cry for ourselves.

We do not cry for Grandpa though. He is in heaven rejoicing, praising Jesus, and probably quietly sitting at His feet listening to all of His stories in wonder.

Ken called his grandparents almost every Saturday for the past 10 years. As the cancer progressed, sometimes the phone calls became more frequent. If they had not heard from Ken, sure enough, there would be a message from Grandpa, letting us know how much they love us.

We will travel this week to Winter Haven for the funeral. We will retell the many stories: “The Day the Ducks Flew and the Men Died”, “Bobcat 1 to Bobcat 2″ (He has the bobcat prowling on Grandma, as a rug to prove it), The time he had to Crash Land His Plane Upside Down”(He has the wooden propeller to prove it), When his plane ran out of fuel, his gauges stopped working, the clouds were thicker than ever, he prayed, then the clouds opened up to reveal a runway”…Story after story after story.

My heart is saddened that he is no longer with us, but I am ever grateful for the times we had with him. The many times in Alec’s 15 years that he got to be around his amazing great-grandfather. From sitting on his lap as a toddler while being read a story about a good bear, to advice given last year about being a good student, a good athlete, and a good Christian.

Preston Duncanson. A Godly Man, leaving a Godly Legacy. That’s hero enough for anyone.