1. A simple life is not a life without impact.
Grandpa has lived with my Grandma in a trailer home on land that is not his for my entire childhood. It's small. They have wild cats on the porch. Meals at their home would some times only be sweet corn and muskmelon. The living room consists of a 1980's television and three chairs - one for Grandma, one for Grandpa, and one for a guest. There are trinkets everywhere that each have a story, including three small wooden bears with the names "Michon" "Evan" and "Megan" that have been in the same spot for decades. Their walls are full of family pictures.
It's not what many would consider successful, but it's one of my favorite places on the planet. It's a place where love is felt and where you are always welcome. The minute you walk in the door, you are greeted with a genuine smile and when you'd go, a heartfelt hug and "love you" would be given. That is an impact that I want to continue in our home. It's simple and yet, profound.
2. Love your spouse sacrificially.
My Grandpa and Grandma's marriage was not perfect. However, time and time again, we witnessed Grandpa loving my Grandma sacrificially. A few years ago, my Grandma was in a car accident that led her to needing a leg brace. I caught of a picture of my Grandpa bending his aching back to help her adjust it:
It's one of my all-time favorite pictures. I'm sure he was hurting in order to do this. I'm positive this was only one of many times he did this throughout one day. He didn't complain. He didn't make Grandma feel like she was being a nuisance. He just helped because his bride needed it.
3. Be in the moment.
My grandparents still have a landline phone. That meant that whenever they'd visit family or friends, a phone was not attached to them. When we visited their home, there was no television on and they'd often let the phone ring without answering it. Grandpa wanted to have face-to-face conversation and know the details of your life. Grandpa wanted to see his great grand-babies play and enjoy their energy.
4. Laugh out loud.
One of the things I wish I could experience one more time is hearing Grandpa's laugh. It was so high pitched and giggly that there were times I had no idea why he was laughing but would still laugh. It was contagious and he was unapologetic about it. He experienced joy in such simple things and didn't hold it in.
5. Trust God.
I saved the best for last. If you knew my Grandpa, then you knew of his faith in Jesus. It wasn't a "I know all about the Bible" type of faith, although I'm sure he did know a lot. It was an authentic relationship. You could see it by the way he lived, by the way he loved my Grandma, by the way he enjoyed his family, and by the way joy and contentment filled him.
Although my heart is saddened, I know that Grandpa heard "Well done, good and faithful servant!" as he entered into Jesus' arms.