2014

2014.

This year I will always remember.

This year I lost my granddaddy, Pop. I mourned, but felt the peace that passes all understanding. I have never felt more sure that Heaven is real.

I was initiated into Chi-O - a sorority that my grandmother, great aunt, aunt, sister, great grandmother, and cousin are all a part of. SO special to me!

I also moved into the Chi-O house and everyday was a crazy roller coaster ride..Though I would do it one hundred times over.

I went to my first Mardi Gras celebration.

My brother and Sarah got engaged..I'm getting another sister!!

I worked at Kanakuk Kamps and lived with thirteen 12-year-olds for three weeks. Best three weeks ever!

I spent Spring Break at the beach with my best friends.

I got to be Snow White! Seven dwarves, birds, a Prince, the whole nine yards.

I turned 19.

I saw both Beyonce and Ben Rector in concert.

I ate dinner in the Eiffel Tower, saw the Statue of David, rode in a gondola, walked around in the Colosseum, explored the Catacombs, went to The Vatican...traveled overseas for the first time!

I was crowned Miss Sorority Pledge Queen! That was a heck of a day. My entire pledge class came, made signs, screamed, danced. They're the best.

I met Baby Henry...my cousin Tripp and Megan's baby. We ALMOST had the same birthday! So close.

I got a "little"!!

I decided I wanted to work towards competing for Miss Arkansas again. I decided I would love to be Miss Heart of the Ozarks (a pageant that earns you a place in Miss Arkansas), and thankfully I got lucky.  My pageant crew is just so wonderful!

I went to Sigma Chi Ski Lodge.

I saw the Hogs beat Ole Miss 30-0 with my own two eyes!!!

I helped plan U of A Homecoming, and the cherry on top: Chi-O WON!

I learned something new every day, and a lot of lessons along the way.

for Pop

My cousin, Erin, said it best, "Today is the happiest day he's ever known. He's face to face with the One he loves the most."
She's right.  Pop has never seen a more exciting day.

I am typing from his computer, at his desk, in his study.  A place where books upon books have taught him and the Henry Ford quote on the wall reads, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 90."  He knew and lived the bible and if you asked him a question, he had a reputable answer. He was the best teacher. He devoted his life to discipleship and lead people to Christ from the altar. If he was at home he was studying the Bible from this desk. Here are his keepsakes, old photographs, pictures of his family. This room is a tribute to him in itself and I am so happy to be here on this beautiful October day.

Pop overcame adversity as a child, losing his mother and father when he was young, but he went on to college and seminary and made a way for himself.  I loved hearing him tell those stories.

He was the best story teller. And he had the cutest sayings.

Pop taught me how to bake a homemade pecan pie with a homemade crust.  It was our favorite activity.

He made the most amazing oatmeal cookies and would carry them by the bags to hand out when we went on vacation.

When I was in elementary school, he hand built me a dollhouse on the back patio of his home in North Little Rock.  He painted it, and then Mimi and I decorated it with the wallpaper in their kitchen and added furniture.











I grew up going to camp and every single day of the two weeks, I would recieve a typed letter and a $1 bill telling me what he was up to and insisting I "have a Coke on him."

When he smiled, it was contagious.  When he spoke, it was either wise, or absolutely hilarious.  He gave my brother his sense of humor.

I have his voicemails where he called on all occasions to congratulate me or just say he was thinking about me. When I called he'd answer, "yello?"

He baptized me and officiated my cousin's weddings.

Everyone who knew him, loved him, and had great things to say about him.  He knew it, yet always answered compliments with the upmost humility.

He walked three miles a day.





The older he got the more he would fall asleep at random times, but while we were all asleep at the symphony, he was wide awake, hanging onto every note.  The day he was the guest director at the symphony was one of his favorite days ever.  I'll never forget it.

He loved to watch the hummingbirds from the breakfast table. His breakfast was just oh my word good.

Every time I would walk in his study he had classical music playing in the background.  When I sang a solo at church, he cried.

His hands were so smooth, and his hair so soft.  He gave the warmest hugs and had the softest touch.

He whistled Christmas carols all year long, everywhere he went.

He radiated joy.

His favorite place to be was at the ocean, watching the ships and the waves.  Fried shrimp was a must at every meal.

He loved his wife and cherished her the most.  He was by her side every waking moment. He valued what mattered most.  -- One moment I will never forget was when he was in the hospital last week, hanging on to life by a thread.  He had word salad and was not able to speak, he would only nod yes or no while he laid there resting with his eyes always shut.  That being said, every single time Mimi left his side to go to the Cafeteria, or the "little girl's room" (as he called it), he would begin to attempt climbing over the side of his bed, wanting to accompany her more than anything.









Last night, the most vibrant yellow pink red orange purple blue sunset concluded the last day of his life on Earth and opened the gate to eternity.







He is so happy so we can't miss him too much, but we are assured that we will be with him before we can blink.

I love you, Jerre Rose. See you soon.

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will recieve me to glory.

Whom have I in Heaven but You?

And there is nothing on Earth that I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."