sometimes, life isn't fair

Today, my grandparents would have celebrated 50 years of marriage. Grandad passed away the last summer, right before their 49th anniversary.

He was so close to this amazing milestone, why couldn't he have just held on? Sometimes, life isn't fair.

But look at what he saw in those 48 years of being married to Grandma...

He saw the birth of his three children. My dad, Aunt Sherri, and Uncle Dan are such amazing people and reflect Grandma and Grandad so much. Their joy was contagious so naturally, their three children have it too.

He saw his three kids get married. My mom, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Jen were welcomed into the Baxter family with open arms. Grandma and Grandad's three kids turned into six. That joy and love that the five original Baxters has spread to eight people now. And it keeps on spreading...

He saw the births of his grandchildren. All nine of us. David, me, Erica, Jessica, Mark, Ian, Meagan, Ben, and Harrison. I don't know if they all realize how incredibly fortunate we are to part of this family. Grandad's laugh was contagious. His love for helping people inspired us. His knowledge of all things good is running in all our veins.

Not only did he see the births, he saw us grow up. He saw David, me, and Erica graduate high school and start our lives. He saw dances and plays and gymnastic competitions. He saw confirmations and baptisms and scout events. He saw the love that our parents learned from him and taught us.

The only thing I wish he could have seen is Harper. That little girl has his belly laugh and his smile. He would have thought the world of her.

Yup, sometimes, life isn't fair.