When I was a kid, friends would tell me how they would get money for different occasions, Christmas, birthdays even for grades. That never happened for me. Lucky kids have those parent or uncles or grandparents who come prepared with deep, deep pockets. Usually if you have those people in your life, money for special occasions would be a regular occurrence. Birthday fun-money seemed to increase as you aged too. Seven year olds got seven crisp dollars and then anticipated their eighth birthday where the birthday card would have eight bucks….and if you were even MORE lucky you’d get “one to grow on.” I went through my entire childhood rejoicing with my friends’ windfalls and choosing gratefulness for the thoughtful gifts I received on my own special occasions.
Josh and I started dating when I was 18 years old and I got a front row glimpse of a new family and how they function and what they valued in special occasions. One Christmas, when Josh and I started sharing Christmases with each other’s family I sat and thoroughly enjoyed watching this wonderfully crazy family love on one another with gifts, jokes and laughter. Few of them had never even met me before this day. Everyone was polite and inviting and as the chaos of the gift opening came to a close, the ceremony of the envelopes commenced.
At the time, I didn’t know what that meant. Grandpa Ed, Josh’s grandfather, always ended the gift time with special envelopes for everyone in his family. As I was basking in the thorough enjoyment of my first year as an observer and hopeful legit future family member my thoughts were broken when someone handed me a white envelope. It looked just like everyone else’s. It had my own name written on it. It had the exact same amount of money as everyone else.
Grandpa Ed welcomed me fully into his family even before Josh and I were engaged. Last night, at 11:30 pm, Grandpa Ed, the Great-Grandfather of my two children walked through heaven’s pearly gates. The world has lost a strong man of faith but his legacy lives on through the poor, little, rich, white mexican, and many others. Though were are not related by blood, my heart and life are forever imprinted by his godly influence and his legacy will continue on for generations to come.
We will miss you Grandpa Ed. If you get a chance, please tell the prophet Elijah that the Poor, Little, Rich, White, Mexican can’t wait to meet him on my own glorious day, … after I hug you, of course.
Poor Little Rich White (Pressed but not Crushed) Mexican 
Oh Sarah, you got me all emotional. Sorry, for your families loss. All of you will be in tonights prayer.
thanks so much Larry. my emotions have been all over the map! your prayers are very much appreciated. Death can really tangle up a family. So far, we have been fairing well.
This made me cry. Yes, I am my mother’s daughter. Sorry for your loss!
thanks Robyn. I’m a total cryer too….I was crying when I wrote it!