Ridgell's Originals

Last Saturday Marsha's Dad, Don Herttenberger, turned 89.  Life's hard for him these days.  Body giving out.  Mind getting really fuzzy.  He's got cancer now and it is spreading fast.  To be honest, his heart is just not in this life anymore.  Since Marsha's Mom died a couple of months ago, he has been slipping away.  I think in his rational moments he wants to go home to God and Granny.

But here is why I love him so much.

He took care of Granny for over 71 years.  That was his job and he did it well.  He loves his family.  The Herttenbergers are a big family and he loves all of them.  He loves his kids, grands, and his great-grands.  He adopts people into his family.  His care sitters, special friends from church, and any friend of his blood family.  All are welcome.  Including me.  When my Dad got Alzhiemers so bad, Grandpa became my Dad.  And treated me just like a son.

He loved the farm.  Grandpa is a farmer.  Farmed and/or managed the family farm up until they sold it a couple of years ago.  There is something spiritual about watching things grow.  I have listened so many times to Grandpa thanking the Lord for the harvest, the rain, and for calves born.  He really got the "give us this day our daily bread".  Still thanks God every day.

He is a great man of faith.  Before his eyes got so bad, he would sit and read his Bible.  I loved to hear his family prayers.  He doesn't pray much out loud anymore but he still loves the family prayer circles.  Our church asked him several times to serve as an elder and he would never do it.  But he encouraged me to.  I asked him for advice many, many times.  He always gave really good advice.  Lots of trips to the farm together.  Lots of farm talk, but lots of Jesus, shepherding talk.

I suspect his days here are winding down.  He wants to go home and it is time.  But he got in one more birthday.  And we celebrated like we always have.  Lots of family, prayer, laughs, and food.

Holy times.

So thanks God for Grandpa.  He did a lot of good for the Kingdom.  He led his family well.  It sure seems like he is getting closer to going home.  But until he does, bless him with peace and keep the pain away.