That wasn’t really intended to be assembled as a poem, although it does rhyme…
This past few days has been another rude awakening as to how short life really is, and in some cases far too short! How shocking it was Thursday morning to hear of the death of Grant Potter, a friend, colleague and former classmate. Grant died in an accident on his way to work. Left his house just like always, but never went home again. And since that time, everyone struggles to process the news, and the reality. Age 46. Wife and three young kids. An absolutely great guy – anyone would be hard pressed to say anything negative about Grant, just as in life Grant could never say anything negative about anyone else! Life just isn’t fair sometimes.
Grant and his family have very strong faith… it is helping the family through these days, and we all know it meant that Grant was “ready” to go whenever his time came. I know Grant would have spent his life looking forward to an afterlife, and it is comforting to know that.
It was touching to see so many people come out to the funeral home last evening… Grant touched many lives – community, church, his work, his hobbies, his former classmates… the list goes on. I am certain his funeral today will be a true celebration of his life.
Grant was the type of person who did “Gather his rosebuds while he may…“. He lived his life well, he put family and church before anything else, he had good balance in his life, and he genuinely cared about all those around him. We could all wish to be as pure-of-heart as Grant. (Coincidentally, I recently purchased a framed cross-stitch of “Gather ye Rosebuds“… I must hang it in a place of honour now and remember its meaning!)
On a lighter note, Grant was an avid Bruins fan (yes, Bruin’s fans still do exist) and was happy to chat with anyone about the latest hockey game and how the Bruins fared. Since I am a diehard Habs fan, this led to many debates between us on the merits of each team, and some good ribbing when the Habs outlasted the Bruins in the playoffs! I will never watch another NHL game that I don’t think about Grant!
So for him, today, just this once, I say this… Go Bruins!
This was so beautifully written and well said, Trish! Thank you so much for sharing your sweet thoughts. He truly did make the most of every day and touched the lives on so many people. I know Grant would have liked all of the exercise everyone got today walking to the celebration of his life. There were so many cars, it was quite a hike for us. He certainly would have also been pleased with all of the Bruins jersies. I’m so very sad about this horrible tragedy. I’ll think about him every time I walk and watch a hockey game.
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