TEN years since you went to heaven. Some days it seems like “yesterday,” and some days I can’t believe all the things that have happened – things that you “missed” and I wish you had been here for.

I’m not exactly sure how heaven works – like if you are aware of things happening here, or if you are just so stinkin’ happy being with Jesus that that is all you can focus on. But for the sake of acknowledging what you have “missed,” a few things come quickly to mind.

*While you met and loved your first TWO great-grandchildren (Luke & Aisley), you now have THIRTEEN! It kills me knowing what joy you would have found in them all, but as you can imagine, Mom remains thrilled enough for you both!

*After meeting Breanna & Jeremy’s oldest, Aisley (when she was just a few weeks old), they have welcomed another girl (Landry) and a “little” (he’s huge) boy, Grayson. You would adore those girls – but I laugh every time I think about how much Grayson is probably going to be the most like YOU. He’s super cute and really funny…but he’s also ALL BOY and walks around with bumps on his head most days (from falling – mostly from places he shouldn’t have been). I anticipate that he will pull stunts like his Great-Grandpa Jim, and I just pray that it won’t include locking a live cow in the school over a weeklong break…you know, like YOU did! 🙂

*That husband of Breanna’s…Jeremy…that you really loved (even after you discovered the large tattoo on his back—haha!). Well…you were right about him. Definitely “a keeper”! He’s awesome and has loved your granddaughter well. He’s been going through an Eldership process at their church for the last three years and will be ordained in the next few months. I know this would bring you so much gratitude – that Breanna is well cared for. You would also love seeing Breanna leading in their church – she’s on staff and basically running the place (no surprise to you, right?).

*I know you would have been heartbroken over Brittney and Phil’s divorce. Honestly, I’ve said I’m thankful you weren’t here for that. It was a hard time, but I do know without a doubt that you would have been so proud of your granddaughter, and the way she handled herself during that season. And now, years later, you would be REALLY PROUD of both Brittney and Phil for their co-parenting relationship. It’s a gift to be all together for Luke’s activities and birthday celebrations, etc. God has been faithful to provide an abundance of love for Luke, and to bring healing to our family.

A few years later, you would have been THRILLED to witness God’s redemptive work as He allowed Britt to meet and marry Trey. What a story of God’s faithfulness – to provide a wonderful man to love her and #lukethomas. The fact that you also added TWO great-grandsons (TWIN 5 year olds!) would have thrilled you. Then adding a GIRL to the family was the icing on the cake! “Phoebe Joy” has a love of all things “snacks” (just like her Great-Grandpa) and has a sheepish little grin that makes me think of you. Brittney has done a great job of honoring you in their home, and always reminds the boys that we cheer for Michigan (“Go Big Blue”) and to hold on to your bowl of dessert – or else it could be stolen!

Luke (now 12!!) still offers glimpses of you, and we treasure every memory and photo we have of the two of you together. He remains fully aware that he was deeply loved and cherished by you.

*Remember when you were in the hospital a few weeks before you died and you asked me, “Do you think AJ is the one?” (for Brooke). Well…HE WAS and IS! You would have LOVED their wedding – so God-honoring and fun! They had a brunch reception, which means you could have enjoyed the whole event and still been home for your afternoon nap! They have welcomed the sweetest girl – Addison (“Addie”) and we all bawled when her middle name was announced: “James”- after you. Then a sweet boy arrived – Shepherd. I have never seen a more smiley baby, and you would have loved interacting with him then…and now that he’s two! Addie talks about you ALL. THE. TIME. and often asks me about you being in heaven, etc. I love that even though you are not “here”- God is using you to teach your great-grandgirl about Jesus. Thanks, Dad.

*Seth and Emily have had two boys, and what I wish you could see most about that news is watching your son, David, in his grandparenting role! Those boys ADORE him, and the feeling is, obviously, mutual. It’s been so fun to watch, and I know you would have the “Lynn Grin” plastered on your face 24/7 as you watched their family. Oh- and fun fact…David & Paula’s first grandson arrived weighing 11 pounds!! Emily was a trooper and she and Seth are such great parents!

*Sarah met her person and had TWINS! I just love thinking of how you would have laughed with joy over that announcement. She and Austin (who you would love, like the rest of us do) had an awesome destination wedding that we all know you would have stayed home from (in your later years, you were not known as a “traveler”). But to show your support, you would have insisted on having a few pieces of cake to celebrate – and then would have proudly attended their reception back home (and had yet another piece of cake)! 🙂 Side note: I think you would be really proud of Sarah and how passionate she is about our country and what’s happening politically. I’m assuming you two wouldn’t 100% agree on every issue (although with the way things are now, you might be more aligned than we would think! Dad- it’s a MESS!), but regardless – I know you would appreciate her passion for this country that you loved so much.

*Emily married James (so of course he’s a great guy with that name), and you would have been blown away by their choreographed “first dance”! You would be really happy with her choice for a husband – he’s a strong man of faith and leads her well spiritually…something that I know you and Mom spent years praying for. You would have also been a MESS of tears watching your son, Mark, as “Father of the Bride,” and also loved that Holly made all of the cakes (multiple options) for the event. I thought of you that night and how you would have lovingly offered your services as a “taste tester” – just to make sure they were “okay” to serve! 🙂 Believe me…they were! That night was extra special because mom had all of your grandkids in one room!

*We said goodbye to your “Sophie-dog” not long after you died. I’ll never forget how she got on the hospital bed with you on the last day of your life – curled up by your legs. You had NEVER allowed a dog on any bed, but as we all know, she was your favorite. Can’t believe I ever had to “compete” with a DOG! Since our WHOLE family believes that “all dogs go to heaven,” I trust she’s curled up with you now!

*We moved Mom out of your house almost 3 years ago. You would have been proud of the “fight” she gave us (for a whole 24 hours)! Gosh – she was mad! 🙂 I know it was your desire to “die in this house” (and I’m glad that happened for you), but the large home and property were just too much to keep up with. She’s in a beautiful place that you probably wouldn’t have fully embraced, but it’s perfect for her. Thanks for providing for her all your life…and after. She, of course, continues to attract people who need a friend, and her apartment door is always open for people to come and go. She’s had a few health issues and falls that would have been hard for you to watch, but she’s always been tough and overall, she’s doing great.

Oh—and you would be EXCEEDINGLY proud of your sons. Both make it a priority to come over weekly to take her to appointments, Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Taco Delight. Honestly, they have loved her well, and I’m thankful to be caring for her with them. Mom tells me often how thankful she is for their visits and help.

And I know you won’t be surprised that our spouses (aka: your other 3 kids) are part of the team as well! Yep – we “married well”!

*You bought running shoes for Brooke a few months before you died – she proudly and tearfully wore them as she ran the Oklahoma City Marathon just SIX days after you went to heaven. While she has run off and on since that time, next weekend we will be headed back to OKC for her to do the marathon again! You will be proud to know that Mom stepped in to pay for a new pair of shoes, and I know she will be thinking of you both as she runs this year. Thanks for believing in her and supporting her…both times.

Brooke has been extra emotional as this “10th anniversary of Grandpa dying” has approached. Yesterday she met me at mom’s and gave her a blanket she made to honor this anniversary. Of course, she made it purple so mom can use it in the living room…but couldn’t help but put a “Michigan Stripe” down one end to honor you! I love how my girls love and miss you…and how they let their Gramma know.

*Oh, one more thing about your grandkids….you would have LOVED the fact that all three of your Eubanks Grandgirls were pregnant AT THE SAME TIME! We had so much fun welcoming the latest 3 babies into the family – all within a few months of each other! You would have loved that time (2 years ago) when we had a freshly arrived newborn around for a 4 month stretch!

*Your favorite son-in-law (the only one you will ever have!) is still my favorite person ever. Tom remains loyal and sweet and has cared for me well – especially over the last two years when I FINALLY had that ankle surgery (TWICE)! I know you left knowing that he was killin’ it as a “Papa” (watching him with Luke), but I wish you could see him now with all NINE of them! 🙂 They adore him, and I believe “grandparenting” is his finest role. You would love that he ALWAYS provides ice cream sundaes after EVERY meal (I think he does that with you in mind), and that the kids have rarely left our home without an Oreo in each hand. Thanks for saying “yes” to him when he asked your permission to marry me. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me. Without him…none of these pictures would have been possible!

*I’m still working at the church, and I miss you wanting to hear, “What’s going on?”. We opened “Local Good Coffee Co.” in the same building where your memorial service was held (how crazy is that!), and I was thinking this week about how much you would LOVE it. You would love the coffee, pastries, ice cream and just people-watching, but you would especially be pleased with all the outdoor seating – especially when it’s 100 degrees and you could sit in the sun and attempt to get warm! I can see you there – watching kids play and wondering what on earth “pickleball” is. The only thing we don’t have are newspapers, so you might have still needed to go to Einstein’s or Corner Bakery for that! 🙂

*You would be proud of us for making “2nd Sunday Lynn Family Dinners” a priority each month. Whoever is available gathers – just to stay in touch. It’s absolute chaos, but I can see you sitting back with that famous grin on your face…just watching it all (and attempting to steal 13 bowls of ice cream that you bought them). Good gravy I wish you were there. (Speaking of “gravy” – we often have cherry pie for your birthday…but we draw the line at adding gravy to the top, like you did! Sorry!)

*While I’ve missed you during all of these moments listed above (and so many more), the thing I’ve missed the most is hearing your voice…and your incredible hugs that you insisted on every time we saw each other (at least twice – saying “hello” and “see you later”).

So – while I don’t know exactly how everything works in heaven, I am BEYOND confident (because of YOUR faith in Jesus) that you are there…and that one day (because of MY faith in Jesus), I will be too.

I miss you and can’t wait to see you, Dad. My plan is to fall at Jesus’ feet first…and then look for you. I love knowing you will be on the Welcoming Committee.