Memories of Grandpa
It’s hard to share all of our memories of Grandpa. We all have different ones, but many are the
same. We’ve tried to compile our
memories into a succinct form for today, but there are so many more that will
be left unsaid for now. There are not
enough words for us to truly express how wonderful our Grandpa Milligan was…and
still is!
The most important thing we want to express to all of you is
that we had the best Grandpa ever! He
was so incredibly supportive of all of us.
Whether it was coming to our choir concerts, piano recitals, plays,
soccer games, sitting in the pouring rain during the State Championship
football game or just talking to us about what we were doing in work or school,
we all felt the love and support from both Grandpa and Grandma.
That’s another thing we need to make clear today. Most of our memories are just as much about
Grandma as they are about Grandpa. She
was there just as much as he was.
Although, she’s not the one who got pulled over for speeding the time
Melanie got left at the ranger station in Estes Park. That was Grandpa.
We all loved to hear Grandpa’s stories. He had some great ones! Growing up in Loveland, playing football in
the intersection of Eisenhower and Lincoln and having bonfires in the middle of
Lake Loveland during the winter. His
service in the Army during World War II and the amazing things that happened to
him, like the time he was sitting on a garbage can eating a sandwich. Someone called his name and he stood up. Right after that, a shell blew up that very
garbage can. Or the funny things that
happened at the grocery store, like the time he found the tarantula in the
bananas and the cricket that set off the burglar alarm. We all spent a lot of time at Grandpa’s knee,
hearing these great stories. That is
time well spent.
Grandpa was a great example to us, too. An example of love, of service, and of living
life to the fullest. We are so thankful
that he paid for all of the piano lessons for our moms, that he supported
Grandma with the church until he FINALLY took the plunge and got baptized
himself, that he loved us all and showed us in so many ways.
Here are just a few random memories to close:
- “Camping” in the camper in the driveway.
- Spending time at the store, stocking the shelves and getting paid in candy bars and Dr. Pepper.
- Learning to play poker using candy canes.
- Two words: Skip-bo
- Walking to Hardees for 25 cent ice cream cones (sometimes it was even blue and orange for the “Bronco fans”).
- Watching Broncos and Rockies games
- Going to Broncos Training camps in Greeley
- All the great times at Hermit Park and Viestenz-Smith Park
- Being nervous while backing a car out of their driveway while he was watching, afraid of him getting mad if we drove on the lawn.
- Sitting on the porch or in the living room with him, just chatting.
- Sitting with him at the dedication of the Denver Temple.
We love you, Grandpa.
You’re the best Grandpa anyone could ask for. Thanks for all of the wonderful
memories. We are going to do everything
we can to keep your legacy of service and love alive in our children and future
grandchildren.
Sam also added the memory of getting weekly letters from Grandma and Grandpa on his mission and how there was always a copy of the Church News in there. He also said that Grandpa lived an almost perfect life, except for one thing: He was a Broncos Fan. (Sam is a Cowboys Fan, and they always had a friendly rivalry.)
Today has definitely not been an easy day, but it's been a good day. Being together as a family, celebrating Grandpa's life, feeling the Spirit so strong. It's been good. Now back to the real world. Well, not until Monday.
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