In Memory of John Rorvik

My Grandpa died April 14, 2010.   April 16-17 were the burial and the memorial services. I am tired of crying, and I am tired of being emotional exhausted. I am happy for him because he is with the Lord.  At his service today,  there were so many people that he blessed, from the nurses that treated him to his neighbors that barely knew him. The spirit of the Lord and the joy of my grandfather were present today, although there were many tears there were so many laughs. Thank God for blessing his life so that he could bless ours. I was His oldest grand-daughter and extremely close with him. I wrote him a letter. I didn't think I would be able to read it but God gave me the strength to get through it. I knew that my Grandma needed to hear it.  I couldn't keep the tears in when I read it, and neither could many of  the guests that came. I can picture clearly and still smell my dear Bestefar ( who was born in Norway and was and immigrant to the USA).

Dear Bestefar,  

                I miss you. I love thinking about how you and I could not have looked any different. You stood tall, with your bright blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and your big strong hands. Me, with all dark features and small hands that got lost in yours. You would always ask if you could have some of my curls to cover the top of your head.  Even though we didn’t look anything alike, we had an extra special bond. I love you and miss you so much. I remember your suspenders; I think you should have left some for Uncle John. I remember hearing your laugh when something was funny. I remember when you took me fishing in Norway, and how you helped me get my fish off the hook. I squeezed the dumb fish so hard that it peed on me. I remember you climbing up the mountain and rolling up our pant legs so that we could walk on the rocks in the fresh water pool there. I remember your straw hat and sun glasses, I always thought that was a good look for you. I remember how you would scratch my back, the way Sarah and I love so much.  I remember the smell of your house in New York,   I loved it there.  I can picture walking into the kitchen to seeing you and Bestemor dancing to a song on the radio.  I remember sitting with you in your blue chair by the fire place when I was younger. I remember praying that you would be able to come to my graduation after your first battle against the cancer. I was so excited for you and Bestemor to be there, it was perfect! And when you came to visit me at  Cornerstone, you bought me so much fruit, my mini fridge was stuffed, but it was perfect because you and I were there pushing the grocery cart laughing about all the kiwis we got. I remember when Bestemor would tease you and you would say “Mudder”, because you never really got the hang of the “th” sound, that was cute.  I remember your hugs; you would tell me that you loved my hugs. But really, there was nothing better than a hug of yours.   Most of all, I remember when you got sick again, how mad I was.  I didn’t tell anyone that though. I remember seeing you in the winter; I asked you how you were. You told me how you didn’t feel good, but you smiled and told me that you couldn’t wait to go fishing in the spring again, and grill steaks and salmon because “Faith is a bottomless pit when it comes to steak” and my mom loves salmon. I was planning to call you on Wednesday, after I found out what the doctor said at your appointment on Monday.  On Wednesday, when my mom called, I couldn’t breathe. But right before the phone call I was in chapel, we sang “it is well with my soul”. I think I knew you were going home, just like you told Bestemor that morning. And right now, even though you aren’t here, I know that you would say “enough, let’s just have a nice time”.   Even though, you aren’t here to make more memories with us, I know you are in Heaven.  I know that you are more than well. I know you are with the God.  Bestefar you touched the lives of many people, including the life of the girl who you saved, from falling through an ice fishing hole, by her pony tail.  Psalm 116:15 says “precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”.  You were a saint, to say in the least. You will be greatly missed and it is still unreal that you are not here, that I won’t be seeing you here again. But I know that you are going to be waiting for all of us. Even though when I heard the news, I wasn’t ok, now, I know it is ok. So, instead of being sad, I am celebrating for you. I am so happy that you are in Heaven; I am so happy that you aren’t suffering or tired anymore.  I am happy that your blue chair that still smells like you isn’t, isn’t where you are sitting because you are exhausted. I am happy that you are in living better than you ever lived here. It’s hard to imagine but I know it’s true. I love you, I miss you, and I can’t wait to see you again. 

With Love,

         Laura 

p.s. I will always be Norwegian and heart  

 I want to thank everyone who helped and supported my family and I in everything that we are going through. God Bless!