This page is dedicated to my Grandfather, Karl Evens. He left this world to go live with the Heavenly Father on May 16, 2000. Grandpa is in a better place now, for he was suffering from Alzheimer's. We can rest assured that he is not suffering anymore, and that once again, he can remember who he is and all of his loved ones still here on this earth.

Grandpa was a basically quiet, hardworking man. He and Grandma raised my sister and I since I was 7 yrs old. They took us under their wings, and instilled their values in us and a deep belief in a higher power. We may not have found the type of life they would have wanted for us, but the values are basic and we carry them with us to this day.

This is the last picture I have of my Grandpa. It was taken at a family gathering in 1998, in Battle Creek, MI, before he and Grandma were leaving for their home in Florida.

My sister asked me to write down a story that I remember about Grandpa and myself, to possibly be read at the funeral. (I was unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances... *sigh*) The following is that story.

One thing I can remember about Grandpa was his laughing at me about snakes! Now, I HATE snakes... always have... still do! Grandpa taught me to use the riding lawn mower so I could help out in the summer's. I thought it was fun.. didn't mind at all. After getting me started and shaking his head and grumbling (but with a twinkle in his eye) at me a few times when I would stall the mower, he finally walked away and let me "go at it".

I was doing fine.. cruising along (if you can call mowing the yard "cruising"), when all of a sudden I spotted a blue racer snake in the yard and it scared me to death!! I promptly drove the mower over to the part of the yard where Grandpa was... as fast as I could make that mower move, I tell ya!

I told Grandpa that there was a SNAKE in the yard!! What do I do? I was shaking like a leaf by then... visions of snakes crawling up on the mower and "getting" me.

Grandpa just turned to me and said "So? Your on the mower aren't you? Mow 'em down! What they gonna do, bite you when they're dead?" with a serious look on his face. I couldn't believe that was all he had to say about it. But you know what? He was right!

From that time on, it became a personal vendetta for me to find all the snakes I could while mowing the yard and "mow 'em down", as Grandpa put it! I knew that he thought they were a nuisance also... so I felt that I was helping in 2 ways... mowing the yard and getting rid of snakes!

I would count how many I had gotten rid of, and give him a report on it after I was done each time. He would chuckle at me and say "good". I don't know why I remember that so much, but I do. Perhaps because we both didn't like those snakes and at that age, he made me feel like I was doing a great job and helping a lot.

He also gave me a new outlook on a situation that had me shook up. I remember that time, sometimes with other things in my life, and have to chuckle and apply the same reasoning to the situation. Without even knowing it, Grandpa had taught me a life lesson that has helped more than either of us knew... until I sat here and thought about it today.

Thanks Grandpa!

Here is the last "professional" picture of my Grandparents, that I have.

When I realized that I couldn't make it to the funeral, I was so upset! I couldn't go and say my finaly goodbye's to him... I was feeling extremely upset and disappointed, as well as very guilty at not being there! Again, my sister asked me to write something that could be read at the funeral on my behalf. The following is what I came up with ... I wrote it as if I was speaking to him, telling him the things that I never would be able to... and wish I had during his time here on Earth...

I LOVE MY GRANDPA !

Four little words that mean so much. Four little words, but I never told him that. I regret that. I never really told him that I loved him... but Grandpa.. I did... and always will. Your strength was quiet, but was there and I knew it. Your taking Cyndy and me into your home, to raise us and care for us is, and always was, deeply appreciated. Without you and Grandma, I don't know what I would have turned out like. I am not perfect, but I know what is right and wrong... and I have tried to live honestly, because of the life lessons by example that you showed.

There are times that I had a decision to make and I would have all kinds of thoughts going through my head. Most of those times, the decision was made by remembering and honoring those values you and Grandma instilled in us as we were growing up.

I thank you, Grandpa for everything you have done for me in my life. I thank you for all those values that you taught, just by virtue of living the life and beliefs that you had. I will miss knowing that you are on this earth somewhere.

I don't know why I never told you any of these things.. pride, stubborness, embarassment? Who knows. I just know that now I regret never having done so... and I pray that you hear these words and that now, in Heaven, you can see the love in my heart for you. You will truly be missed, Grandpa.

I love you!

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