Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Hello Beautiful!
What a way to leave a legacy… This was an everyday saying for my grandfather. He had his own greeting for making us feel both seen and special. Throughout childhood, those awkward teenage years, and into adulthood with all its messy responsibility the saying stayed the same. Grandpa always had that way about him. It is such a poignant reminder of how our Heavenly Father sees us too. We are always his masterpieces, so beautiful in His sight, and He greets daily as we are with His ever present love.
Hello Beautiful,
I love you.
You are mine.
You are seen.
I am here.
My grandfather always put that voice in my head and in my heart, and I’m so grateful that he did. While the world focuses on circumstances and surface level greetings, he always greeted his loved ones with how he saw them to be. Quietly and with such warmth and joy in his voice, “Hello Beautiful!” Sometimes with a big embrace as an initial greetings, often in the lulls of a visit with time to sit and talk, and always with sincerity meant just for you. How beautiful a soul to put that voice in this girl’s heart and so many others.
The Words We Speak, the life we live
The words we speak to children echo long after they are said. How much more beautiful would the world be if we spoke with such sincerity and sweetness to each other?
My grandfather was a quiet man, although he listened to Italian opera while suntanning in a lawn chair on the driveway at decibel levels that I’m sure would make a passerby question that statement. Italian through and through, he was a cook in WWII who I’m sure served up more than food to inspire and encourage his fellow soldiers that he served. Quick to smile and laugh, but also comfortable in the quiet to go on his daily walks and enjoy being present in the moment with conversation that ebbed and flowed naturally from a place of peace and contentment. He enjoyed his quiet, simple moments and always made space for them as he took time to be with family.
The doctors said years ago he didn’t have long to live. Today he would be 100 years old… boy did he prove them wrong! Growing old is a privilege, and one that my grandfather had. He loved big, embraced life from rest, and always made time to make those around him feel loved.
Hello Beautiful!
We are celebrating your entry into paradise with you. You will be greatly missed, but it’s time for your season of suffering to end and for the best part of your life to begin. Enjoy walking the streets of gold with our Savior. We love you so much and your beautiful soul. Until next time, Hello Beautiful…
Love, Annie
Scripture
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Cor 4:17 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor 1:3-4 (NLT)
Sending so much love and healing your way. I hope you hear him everytime someone says the word beautiful. I know I’ll think of this story. Grandparents are such a toss up, if you are lucky enough to get ones who shape your world the loss is devastating. Thank you for sharing this story of him with us. My grandmother always said “oh hello daaaahhhhling”.
Sending you all the love. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing, such a great post to look back to too.
This is so sweet 🥹 I didn’t have this growing up, being in foster care, but to hear how it “should have been” is always so helpful!
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to a man who truly left an imprint on you and your family. What you said is so true…the words we speak to children echo long after they’re spoken. Good or bad. And he clearly spoke words of love and life and represented the Father well.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather sounded like a wonderful man, who left a lasting impression on many. Thank you for sharing this sweet tribute.