A Very Special Man Left Us Yesterday…

My paternal grandfather, Earl Flint, went home to be with the Lord yesterday.  He was a few days short of 99 years old and was a rock and a pillar in our family.

Grandpa was tiny, I think maybe 5′ 4″ but he was a big, big man.  I remember him for years smoking a pipe and quietly presiding over family gatherings.  When I was a little girl, all I had to do was smell a pipe and I would frantically look around for grandpa!!

Grandpa didn’t come from a Christian home.  In fact, from what little I know of his youth, I believe he had a very difficult time of things.  I never heard how he came to the Lord, but when he did it was for LIFE and with his whole heart.  He was a prayer warrior.  Even in his declining years when he was in and out of things mentally, he still prayed.  When the tsunami hit he sat in front of the TV and prayed non-stop for those who were suffering.  My grandmother, his wife of 73.5 years had passed just a few weeks before but he was consumed with praying for others not wallowing in his grief.

He was a hoot too.  At one of their anniversary parties, he literally put a lamp shade on and was dancing around the house!  Grandpa and grandma were still madly in love after all those years and would be frisky with each other right up until the end — what a wonderful example of married love they were.

Grandpa saw grandma at church, she was the organist and figured out how to arrange a “blind date” with her!  He said he was very, very patient… he waited 2 weeks before asking her to marry him.  I believe she was 15 at the time.  The two of them didn’t come from Christian homes but they sure built one together and their influence has spread far and wide in the family they raised.

Bye, Grandpa… give Grandma a hug for me and tell her how much I love and respect you both.  I’ll see you again one day.

11 thoughts on “A Very Special Man Left Us Yesterday…”

  1. I love your story. My father-in-law will be 92 this month and my dinner group wants to make all of his favorite dishes! It was hard to pin him down but I finally did it last night. Kathy

  2. What an awesome story and such a testimony! The world has lost another wonderful prayer warrior! My grandmother is 97, she’s away travelling right now!

  3. AJ, I keep forgetting about posting… LOL You are supposed to read my thoughts. It does sound like you had a wonderful grandfather. Your heritage of a ‘rich family life’ is a true blessing. Thank you for the insights you give us into your life.

  4. Hello Audrey! I just saw the post about your grandfather…so sorry to hear about your loss! God Bless him! 99 yrs old-wow! what wonderful memories to have of him…hugs,Ann

  5. Audrey, what a wonderful heritage! The example that he has given you, and that now you have shared with us is the best legacy anyone could leave. Truly we only have one life to live, and only what we do for Christ is what is going to count.
    Receive a big hug from your friend in Spain.

  6. I am truly sorry AJ. Loss of life is so sad. I wish you and your loved ones comfort and my deepest sympathies.

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