Let me introduce you to...

...my grandfather, George Moir.

 

Today would have been his 103rd birthday. We did not live close to my grandparents when I was growing up so I didn't know my grandparents as well as I wished.

 

My grandfather was a joyful man. He always had a smile and was full of fun. He loved words and playing with them. My grandpa also loved babies. He loved to tell you what they were thinking. The thing that was amazing about his joy is that he was so often in pain because of the many physical trials his life encompassed.

 

His physical problems started when he was a young boy growing up on a ranch in Saskatchewan. He had epilepsy for one. An accident later in life apparently knocked the epilepsy out of him leaving him with one less problem to deal with. Then one day his horse threw him and his leg was broken. The ride into town was long and the only doctor was drunk. He set the leg wrong and my grandfather ended up with a leg that was permanently shorter than the other one.

 

My grandpa was one of 13 children - 11 of which were boys. He is third from the right in the back row. My grandma
is seated in front of him holding their first son in her lap.

As a married man and father he was in a major car accident with many broken bones so that he needed a body cast. In the middle of being in the body cast he needed it cut open so his gall bladder could be removed. My mom remembers spending lunch hours in high school at the hospital feeding her dad his lunch. This was just one of the many physical trials he had.

 

My Grandpa ended up with pins in his leg that pained him so much that every night he had to get up and have a bath to calm the pain. Even so, he didn't complain. My grandfather was just such a lovely man. My oldest child was born on my grandpa's last birthday here on earth. I treasure this little bit of connection.

 

That's my mom in my grandpa's lap. Incidentally my youngest
daughter clearly resembles my mom at this age.

"The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Psalms 16:6 Whenever I read this verse I think of my grandpa. He was not a rich man but he was so full of love and joy. He didn't leave any of us a huge monetary inheritance, but he left us a rich spiritual heritage. His example of joy in the midst of pain has been an inspiration to me more than once. I look forward to seeing him in heaven and getting to know him better.

 

My grandpa's favourite hymn says a lot about the man he was. I can never sing or hear this song without thinking about him.

 

All the Way My Saviour Leads Me

 

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

 

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

 

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

 

 

I wish you could have known my grandpa but hopefully you know a little about his heart now.



Grandpa and me - 1984

 

 

Do you have a relative who inspires you to greater things?