Memories of Grandpa Bennion

Pristine calm as the first sunrays chased away early morning dew glistening on the cow pasture. Serene chirping of birds on the fences as a gentle breeze caresses leaves in the wood. Rustic pots thrown by Uncle Joe fill shelves in the kitchen. These are my memories of Grandpa and Grandma’s home. So peaceful and perfect, except for one thing. . .Grandpa.

Seeing the picture of Grandpa’s face when the nurse said no Thai food reminds me why I was scared of him as a young child. For years I would not hug Grandpa and I didn’t want to get kisses from him. We visited once a year, and the infrequency made the whole experience strange to me. I distinctly remember one year thinking to myself that it was silly not to want to hug Grandpa. I decided from that moment on I would not let it bother me anymore and to prove it I gave him a big hug when we said goodbye. I think I was around six or seven.

Once I overcame my childhood fears I loved the visits to Missouri at Easter or during the summer. I remember one summer in particular. It was 1996 and I was to be a junior in high school that fall. I was taking my first physics class. I had signed up for AP physics and was very nervous about being in a class with seniors who had already taken a physics course. I voiced my concerns to Grandpa and he proceeded to tell me about taking a course in college, geology I think it was, and most of the other class members had previous experience in the field, some had even taught high school classes on the subject. The class was quite intimidating. He told me that he worked hard and did much better in the class than many others because of it. He told me to not be afraid, but to do my best and I would do just fine in my class. I am so grateful for his words to me. They gave me courage, confidence, and a determination to work hard and vindicate his confidence in me. That summer also happened to be a year of summer Olympic games and my father, Grandpa, and I spent time watching the 3-meter springboard event, calculating the entry velocity of the divers. I shall never forget that time, though I do not remember who took home the gold. Grandpa took time to comfort and encourage me and it remains in my mind a sweet, treasured moment.

I am deeply saddened that I cannot attend the funeral to be with my family and celebrate Grandpa’s life and legacy. My heart, thoughts, and prayers will be with you along with those of my husband and children. Grandpa was a great Patriarch and High Priest to the Lord. He raised a wonderful family with marvelous posterity. I am so blessed to be a part of his lineage. I take great comfort in the words of a hymn we sang in church today for I know we shall see him again.

“The law was broken; Jesus died
That justice might be satisfied,
That man might not remain a slave
Of death, of hell, or of the grave,
But rise triumphant from the tomb,
And in eternal splendor bloom,
Freed from the pow’r of death and pain,
With Christ, the Lord, to rule and reign.”

Though gone from us for a season, Grandpa has indeed risen triumphant to be with family gone on ahead. He shall prepare a place for us when we meet him again. Oh, how joyous and sweet that day shall be.