Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

On showing up for others

October 2, 2017 by Kristin 4 Comments

My kids are off school ALL WEEK for Fall Break. And, honestly, this vacation from our routine couldn’t have been timed better in my life. Last week was crazy. The days were full of goodness, but logistically they were a bit crazy.

My grandpa, better known as Poppy, passed away Sept. 20. His visitation and funeral were last Tuesday and Wednesday in Louisville, which is about three hours away from our house. We had a good time visiting with family and remembering Poppy.

Then we came home for two days before we headed to Nashville (about two hours away) for my cousin’s wedding. It was also a fun weekend with family – the same side we had gathered with earlier in the week.

My kids went to school last Monday, Thursday, and Friday and managed to squeeze in studying for a chemistry test, practicing spelling words, and choosing poems to recite later this month in the annual Speech Meet.

Obviously, we haven’t even been in our usual routine, but this planned Fall Break is welcomed here. Cate is going to do a couple days of horseriding camp. I’m hoping to catch up around the house and make a Sam’s run. Who knows, depending on the weather, the kids may even jump in the pool.

*****

I did want to share more about Poppy here before I was too far removed from his funeral services. My mom asked me to give the eulogy during his funeral Mass, so I did. I basically reworked a Facebook tribute I had shared when he passed away. I’m definitely more comfortable writing words than speaking words, but I was so grateful to be able to share with my Poppy’s family and friends – and now you – this way.

Nanny and Poppy were a steadfast presence in my childhood. They babysat my siblings and I, hosted holidays, and welcomed me to do my laundry at their house when I lived nearby after I graduated from college.

Nanny passed away in October 2001, before I was married and long before I became a mom. She would have loved my family.

But I’m glad Poppy got a chance to love my family. Most of the time, his love came across in sarcastic banter and laughter. On the day of my husband Greg’s law school graduation, Poppy started telling him lawyer jokes and continued with a new one most every time we saw him.

He also got to know my two oldest kids, which is good because that means they got to know one of the best influences on my life. I’m glad I got to see him with my youngest child too, although she won’t have first-hand memories of him.

A half-Irish, half-Scottish immigrant, Poppy grew up as an American and even served in World War 2 in the US Navy. He always had stories to tell.

During a hard season in my life, he shared with me who was on his prayer list and reminded me “this too shall pass.” He wasn’t always this sentimental, but his presence was constant even the past 15 years when is travel back to Louisville to visit my family and friends. The last meal my husband, kids and I shared with him was on Father’s Day. And I’m glad I have a picture both on my phone and in my mind to remember that.

His life reminds me how loving others
is about showing up & being on their side.

{Tweet that.}

Poppy had some health problems in recent years, but he still managed to entertain people anywhere he went with his sarcastic banter. I loved hearing people stories about that and so many other things last night at the visitation.

When we found out we were adopting a boy about eight years ago, I knew I wanted him to have part of Poppy’s name. Benjamin Lucas is named after John Lucas. I hope my son is a steadfast influence in people’s lives too.

My family appreciates your thoughts and prayers as we adjust to Poppy’s physical absence, but we are grateful for his legacy.

So, what are you looking forward to this week? How can you show up for others?

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: family Tagged With: life

Comments

  1. Mary Geisen says

    October 7, 2017 at 9:07 am

    Thank you for sharing about your Poppy. The reminder of how loving others is about showing up and being on their side is one I hope to carry with me daily. Prayers as you journey through this new normal without your grandpa.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      October 8, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Thank you, Mary!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Seven Things I Learned in September says:
    October 5, 2017 at 6:01 am

    […] grandpa passed away on Sept. 20, 2017, at 92 years old. I shared in a post earlier this week that I gave the eulogy. Being with my family for his visitation and funeral was good. Despite our […]

    Reply
  2. Braving Sorrow Together says:
    October 18, 2017 at 6:00 am

    […] ago, when I walked with my best friend through a hard season in her marriage, and most recently when my grandpa died is that we are better together and the joy does come. Ashleigh captures these mixed emotions and […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Boost Our Kids’ Confidence
  • Songs of Hope
  • Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First.
  • Looking for fun, longing for Eden
  • How to make celebrations fun

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother- Happy, happy 70th birthday to my wonderful mother-in-law. We all are especially happy to celebrate her life this year after her recent quadruple bypass heart surgery and recovery. 🎉 #weekending #TeamTaylor #birthdaygirl
A new book by a favorite author is always a welcom A new book by a favorite author is always a welcomed thing, and @kristinhannahauthor didn’t disappoint. Plus it was my @bookofthemonth pick. 

#TheFourWinds is set during some sad years with the Dust Bowl, migration to California, and the Great Depression. Yet this is a story of hope and belonging. Hope kept a mom and her two kids going, despite circumstances that destroyed. Hope led to this mom finding her voice, recognizing her worth, and discovering love that lasts.

Follow #KHTreads for more book talk. #recommendedreads #fiction #amreading #bookstagram #historicalfiction #bookofthemonth
Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, Seven weeks after quadruple bypass heart surgery, my mother-in-law moved home today. We were happy to care for her and we are thrilled she’s doing so well. 

I knew she was faithful and strong before, but watching her recovery from open heart surgery convinced me even more of her steadfastness and courage.

#TeamTaylor #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY
After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! H After three weeks, they’ve returned to school! Here’s to hope on a Monday morning for whatever comes our way. #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY #siblinglove
Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the sea Often I don’t want the weekend to end or the season to change, but I’m looking forward to Monday after three weeks of quarantine and sickness then snow. I’m looking forward to the snow melting away and eager for spring to bloom.

I’m grateful for health and family and home and a fresh start. A walk through the melting snow with the sun shining and temperatures in the 50s was a sweet spot today. So was gathering with friends we hadn’t seen in too long after church.

Just a few days ago I felt defeated and weary. Now I’m feeling ready and hopeful. Transitions can be rough, but ultimately I’m thankful for new mercies and new seasons.

#weekending #reallife #socialdistancing #countryliving #bettertogether #winterweather #springiscoming #choosingJOY #girlmeetschange #livingfaithfully
We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home We’re sad tonight was the last #MurrayState home basketball game of the season, but we are thankful we had some live winter entertainment. Of course, games looked and sounded different than usual, but the season isn’t over and we’ll be rooting for our blue & gold. 💛 #WeAreRacers #RacerNation #collegebasketball #TeamTaylor #weekending #socialdistancing #thirdchild
We all benefitted from getting outside today. Hone We all benefitted from getting outside today. Honestly, I was so bundled up I got a little warm because somehow I now live where 30 degrees (that feels like 21) is a heat wave. These three help me remember to loosen up and enjoy the moment. ❄️ 

#momlife #snowday #countryliving #socialdistancing #choosingJOY #reallife #winterweather #kentuckyweather
I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hop I'm glad I was able to contribute to "Songs of Hope (Vol. 2)", which was compiled by fellow writers @kerilynnsnyder & @sarah_e_frazer. This devotional spends 31 days in the Psalms. 

I share about Psalm 68 and how God built a sanctuary for me at our house in the country and how I want to share that with others. I end the devotional with these questions and a prayer:

"Songs of Hope" offers encouraging truth to bring hope to your weary soul. The devotional is a digital product so you receive the PDF immediately and can read it on any device.  There's a #linkinbio to buy this devotional and more info #ontheblog. #bloggerlife #authorlife #amreading #psalms #psalm68 #bettertogether #hope #KHTreads
I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, I ended 2020 saying it had been a weird year, but, truthfully, the first six weeks of 2021 have been weird too. Weird seems like a weak word, but I can’t think of another. These past six weeks haven’t been bad, have included plenty of great moments, and shifted so many things in our house. Through it all, my best friend Jaclyn and I haven’t gotten to hang out much.

I’m thankful Greg picked up her and her girls in his four-wheel drive truck yesterday after his short day at the office. We bundled up for some time outside, the kids had legit snow cones, we combined food to make dinner, and various people played various games. Jaclyn and her girls went back to their house this morning, but we are all thankful for old friends & new memories.

#bettertogether #winterweather #reallife #countryliving #snowday #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.