For Gramps

For those who are not aware, while serving as a missionary we only get to talk with Brett on the phone twice a year - Christmas and Mother's Day he gets to call home. His Grandfather (my Dad) passed away on Tuesday. I really didn't want to wait until Thursday for him to find out, and I definitely didn't like the thought of him finding out in an email, so I called the Missionary Training Center. I spoke with a very kind man who is a member of the District Presidency who told me he would talk to Brett (and his cousin McKay, who is also in the MTC preparing to go to Finland) and convey the sad news. He gave Brett permission to write some thoughts without waiting for his typical Thursday email.  We received this yesterday -

It's weird to think he's gone. I'm gonna miss the old stinker. I always remember that as a kid, I would love going to Grandma Hansen's house because she was so nice and loving and she spoiled us. But you had to stay far away from Grandpa Hansen, because he was a grumpy old man. But as I grew older and got to know him, I realized that he isn't a grumpy old man, but that he is actually one of the nicest people I've met. He cared for the people around him, and thats something that I wish was more prevalent in the world we live in.

When I think about Gramps, I think of how he made the best sugar cookies in the world. Christmas time was the best time because it meant cookies from Grandpa. I'm going to miss that.

Brett baking with his Grandpa

 I also think of our meeting before he went into heart surgery. He was laying in the bed, and he grabbed me by the arm, and with tears in his eyes he said "I love you Brett." I'm going to miss that. I remember visiting him in the ICU after his surgery. He showed me something really cool that day. He had tubes going in and out and bandages everywhere, but he still had the strength to shoot me one of his goofy grins. He said "Hey Brett, you wanna see something cool?" I said "Sure Gramps." Grandma leaned over the bed and kissed him on the lips, and immediately his heart monitor went crazy. He said "Even after 50+ years of marriage she is still my heart throb." I'm going to miss that. 

I remember taking him to and from dialysis. We had alot of inspiring conversations in the car rides. One day I asked him "Grandpa, what advice do you have for a young punk like me?" He gave me 2 scriptures and some advice that changed my life. The first one was Matthew 22:37-39. It talks about how a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus replied that Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighboor as thyself. He told me that I have to love the people around me, and love is the answer. I know as a missionary, if we need to have a Christ-like love, or charity for those we come in contact with. I know that "If ye have not charity, ye are nothing." The second scripture he shared with me comes from Proverbs 3:5-6. He told me to trust the Lord and to believe in his plan for me. I know that sometimes I don't understand why the Lord does what he does, but I know that I need to trust his higher understanding and believe that he knows best. I'm grateful that my grandpa could come up with exactly what I needed to hear right on the spot. I'm going to miss that.  

I know that I'll be able to see him again though, which makes me happy. I don't think its coincidence that I was reading Mosiah 15 this morning during my personal study before they called me in to tell me the news. I can't wait to see him with some brand new legs and a brand new heart with that big goofy grin on his face. I love this gospel, and the peace it brings me. I'm grateful for the knowledge that familes are eternal, and that I will be with Grandpa again. I love my Grandpa and the example he set for me. 

I love you Gramps, say hi to Jesus for me.

Every family has those little catch-phrases that are significant within the family but might not mean much to anyone else. From time to time, as different members of the family make trips to the temple, if anybody has to stay behind it is common for them to say, "Say 'Hi' to Jesus for me."

 

Here is the family letter he sent us today:

To say this week has been a rollercoaster of feelings wouldn't quite fit the emotions I've gone thru. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, this week has been quite the testimony builder for me.

As far as the MTC is concerned, this week has been fantastic. Me and my companion weren't exactly working together as a companionship, but after a long discussion on Saturday, we set some things straight and our performance has greatly improved. I'm happier, our spanish is flowing, and the spirit is with us. Every day we are constantly striving for improvement, and every day the Lord blesses us with spiritual experiences. Being a missionary is amazing, and I love serving the Lord by spreading the good word.

I lost my Grandpa this week. Its been hard. Today at breakfast I saw McKay. We hugged and we both asked each other how we were handling it. We're both handling it pretty well, but it still hurts that he's gone. I didn't really want to cry in front of everyone in the cafeteria, so I tried really hard to hold it in. It caught both of us off guard, and it's weird to think that he's gone. He was and is a great man, and I am proud to be a Hansen. I know that I'll see him again, and that he's probably having a good ol' time hanging with Jesus.

I'm really struggling to find stuff to say, my mind is kinda preoccupied at the moment. Sorry that this week's letter is so short, I don't really know what else to say. I love this gospel, and I know that it's true. I love the peace and comfort it gives me with the knowledge that death is not the end. I love my Savior and Best friend, Jesus Christ, and I know that thru his atonement we can become cleansed from not only sin, but also from the pain of losing a loved one. I love my family, and I wouldn't want to spend eternity with anyone else. God be with you till we meet again.

Elder Hansen