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Rest in Peace, Grandpa Freeman

    Yesterday we had the privilege of celebrating my Grandpa Freeman's 93 year long life. The highlight of the services for me was the graveside service. My grandpa bravely enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and fought in World War II, so he received military honors proceeding his burial at Quantico National Cemetary. It was incredibly moving to witness the bugler playing "Taps" as the American flag sat draped over the casket. It was a beautiful testament to a lifelong example of bravery, courage, and persevering against all odds. 
     Grandpa was one of those rare individuals that constantly radiated pure joy. His smile lit up every room he was in, and his laugh could fill any space. His larger than life personality and his zest for simply living drew people in. He loved nothing more than to make others laugh. I remember anytime he would come over to our house, my sisters and I would sit around him in awe as he explained to us that his hearing aids actually had secret antennas that allowed him to predict the weather. "What's the weather going to be on Tuesday two months from now?" We would ask. "Oh sunny and warm of course!" He would reply, as we just sat there dumbfounded at the magic we had just witnessed. He always had a myriad of jokes or a (sometimes slightly fictitious) story ready to make anyone who would listen smile and laugh.
    There were two things I could always count on when either grandpa was visiting us in Virginia, or when we travelled to New York to visit him. 1) There would always be a trip to Friendly's to get an ice cream sundae, and no meal at home would end without a heaping bowl of ice cream. It was from him I learned that an incurable sweet tooth is in fact hereditary. 2) You'd better believe we would be watching some golf. If there was no tournament going on, reruns it would be!
    Even in his later years as his health began to decline, whenever we went to visit him he always loved to make us laugh and smile. He would tell my sisters and I over and over again that he just couldn't get over how pretty we were. Of course, Abby and I would capitalize on his compliments and try to get him to tell us who was the prettiest. He knew better than to fall into our traps and would just smile and laugh. Or maybe he just didn't want to hurt Abby's feelings by telling the truth!
    He loved my grandma fiercely, and it is so joyous to know that they are both freed from the illnesses that plagued their bodies in their later years and that they are together again. I will never forget his example of love, his carefree spirit, his corny jokes and stories, and his brilliant, radiant smile. We love you forever, Grandpa.




 

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