Gene Burrus went to his eternal home.
Today our family said good bye to a wonderful man, Gene Burrus, my beloved Grandpa. The last few years I have spent days and nights reliving precious memories I have of him and each one of them holds its own weight and importance in my life that I have found it difficult to find the “right one” to share, that will sum up or adequately describe the blessing he has been to me my whole life. I only have 28 years of memories to draw from and yet the trove of love, laughter, sadness, and pain that fills my memories of him is vast. Not a single one can truly outweigh the others, for even the most insignificant moment in time might have actually been a turning point in one’s whole life. So here I go, I will share tidbits of my own memories, in an attempt to convey just how blessed my life has been because Gene Burrus has been a part of it.
Since a rather young age Grandpa Gene has been a part of my life. I remember his comb over or “hood” as he called it, I loved flipping it over when I was real little. Since then I have been informed that he never let anyone else touch his “hood.” Whether that is true or not, it always made me feel special. I remember that while he didn’t like the messes I created, he was never one to actually stop me from using my imagination and creativity. I know that they had many houses before their last one in Missouri; it’s still the first one I personally remember. I can still smell the different scents in their basement where his shop was. Still see the different frames he was working on. Still remember playing ball with Squirt and Rambo in the back yard, well mostly Rambo.
He was always good for a hug and a laugh. I remember going to Canada with Grandma and him, the fun we had riding the bumper cars together. Always teasing and poking each other. Even when I entered my surly teenage years he kept trying, never giving up hope that the sarcastic little girl in me would return and play along once again. I don’t think I ever told him this, but even at that time when I was grumpy and wanted to be left alone, it always meant a lot to me that he kept trying.
When he first met Stefan, they hit it off immediately and as I’ve gotten to know my husband more and more over the years, I have found that his sense of humor reminds me much of Grandpa’s, and my father’s which perhaps may speak, at least in part, why Mama was drawn to Daddy.
There are so many memories to choose from that I get distracted and lost in them, so rather than continue on with my reminiscing I will sum it all up with the feeling that each one of them gives me. Love. I always felt loved, safe, at home, and extremely blessed. And I still do for I know no matter what is going on in my life, I can still speak out to him and remember the sound of love in his voice. So there was no question that when we found out that I was pregnant with our first born that I knew she would have his name, and not only that but teach her to know why she has it and be proud of it. Both Grandpa Gene and Natalia Gene are amazing blessings from God that I am so thankful for. Natalia has his outgoing personality and just loves to meet new people and talk their ear off, something I fondly remember Grandpa always doing. I see so much of him in her and I know I'll always have a reminder of him when I look at my Natty Gene.
I miss you Grandpa. Love you always.
Since a rather young age Grandpa Gene has been a part of my life. I remember his comb over or “hood” as he called it, I loved flipping it over when I was real little. Since then I have been informed that he never let anyone else touch his “hood.” Whether that is true or not, it always made me feel special. I remember that while he didn’t like the messes I created, he was never one to actually stop me from using my imagination and creativity. I know that they had many houses before their last one in Missouri; it’s still the first one I personally remember. I can still smell the different scents in their basement where his shop was. Still see the different frames he was working on. Still remember playing ball with Squirt and Rambo in the back yard, well mostly Rambo.
He was always good for a hug and a laugh. I remember going to Canada with Grandma and him, the fun we had riding the bumper cars together. Always teasing and poking each other. Even when I entered my surly teenage years he kept trying, never giving up hope that the sarcastic little girl in me would return and play along once again. I don’t think I ever told him this, but even at that time when I was grumpy and wanted to be left alone, it always meant a lot to me that he kept trying.
When he first met Stefan, they hit it off immediately and as I’ve gotten to know my husband more and more over the years, I have found that his sense of humor reminds me much of Grandpa’s, and my father’s which perhaps may speak, at least in part, why Mama was drawn to Daddy.
There are so many memories to choose from that I get distracted and lost in them, so rather than continue on with my reminiscing I will sum it all up with the feeling that each one of them gives me. Love. I always felt loved, safe, at home, and extremely blessed. And I still do for I know no matter what is going on in my life, I can still speak out to him and remember the sound of love in his voice. So there was no question that when we found out that I was pregnant with our first born that I knew she would have his name, and not only that but teach her to know why she has it and be proud of it. Both Grandpa Gene and Natalia Gene are amazing blessings from God that I am so thankful for. Natalia has his outgoing personality and just loves to meet new people and talk their ear off, something I fondly remember Grandpa always doing. I see so much of him in her and I know I'll always have a reminder of him when I look at my Natty Gene.
I miss you Grandpa. Love you always.