For those of you who follow the Kim & Jason comic strip, I’m sure you are familiar with Boompa, Kim’s grandpa. Jason describes Boompa like this:

Boompa is a wise and witty senior who provides answers to some of life’s most challenging questions. A retired carpenter with a heart of gold, Kim’s grandfather is always giving the kids gifts and explaining how things work. He is old enough to know the wisdom that children possess, and always takes time to honor their questions, stories, and ramblings. Despite a lifetime of experiences, Boompa has not yet outgrown his childhood.

Some of you know that my family really does call my paternal grandpa Boompa. Between me and Jason, three out of our four grandpas were carpenters and his dad is a carpenter. Jason created the character Boompa to be a combination of all of the strong, playful and wise men in our lives. For the last six years that Jason has been creating the strip, my Boompa has been the only living grandfather on both of our sides. Some of you may remember the post I share this past summer with a picture of me and Boompa together.

A week ago today my Boompa passed away at the age of 92.

Just like Jason’s description of the character, my Boompa was a big kid, sharing his childlike spirit and faith with everyone he met. He sure got a kick out of reading Jason’s strips.

My emotions have been on a roller coaster this week. I am so happy that he is finally in a better place. Just like the character, my Boompa was a widower living alone. Him and my grandma Rosie were married for 65 years when she passed away a year and a half ago. He missed her so much. As Jason shared in the eulogy on Wednesday, in a way this is kind of like a good love story- in the end the guy gets the girl.

So, I feel happy for him, but I have been so sad this week. I’m selfish, I guess. I miss his smile.

On Monday night I read through the hundreds of strips Jason had created featuring Boompa and it was amazing how it brought back so many wonderful memories, even though Jason wasn’t even there in my childhood to have those experiences with him. I think the character Boompa serves as an example of that “grandpa” in all of our lives.

Boompa always had a spark in his eye. His life inspires and challenges me to also live with that spark!

We just got a new cd recently by one of our favorite bands, Switchfoot. On the way home from the funeral one of the songs just connected with the moment. This is a great song for anyone who has lost someone. You can actually download the program Rhapsody very quickly and hear the whole song here.

Yesterdays

Flowers cut and brought inside
Black cars in a single line
Your family in suits and ties
And you’re free

The ache I feel inside
Is where the life has left your eyes
I’m alone for our last goodbye
But you’re free

I remember you like yesterday, yesterday
I still can’t believe you’re gone, oh…
I remember you like yesterday, yesterday
And until I’m with you, I’ll carry on

Adrift on your ocean floor
I feel weightless, numb, and sore
A part of you in me is torn
And you’re free

I woke from a dream last night
I dreamt that you were by my side
Reminding me I still had life
In me

I’ll carry on

Every lament is a love song
Yesterday, yesterday
I still can’t believe you’re gone
So long my friend, so long

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