Grandpa's Slides

My Grandma Arlene, myself, and my Grandpa Bob....this is my favorite picture of us together.  Grandpa Bob earned his wings just before Thanksgiving 2017, and I wrote the following poem in his memory. Oh how he loved his projector and slides! Hope you enjoy the poem. 

Grandpa’s Slides

Dedicated to the memory of Grandpa Robert Edward “Bob” Hellwig.

By:  Stephanie Pilkenton

The day would come each holiday season

The screen was in place, the family side by side

The lights would go out, the projector turns on

Grandpa was ready to present his slides.

Pictures and memories

He’d collected throughout the year

Of every flower he found pretty

And every person he found dear.

He’d stop on a slide and jump to his feet

“Look at this!” as he’d point to what was pictured

Smiles and laughter from family

Each slide a memory captured.

A memory of a young Grandpa

Playing in the Ohio State Band

Or when he served in the Army

And returned to finish college, a very dedicated man.

A memory of a farm in Ohio

A pony treasured by his daughters and corn fields to get lost into.

And memories of his mom and others

So much happiness each slide holds onto.

A memory of Grandpa driving his John Deer

Pulling a wagon with his grandchildren inside

A memory of a competitive family

Playing croquet in the backyard outside.

A memory of a road trip,

Grandpa and Grandma always love to take

To Ohio, or South Carolina, or Florida, or Hawaii

To visit family and loved ones, more memories to make.

A memory of each anniversary and birthday

And four hundred flowers and animals and landscapes abound

Grandpa loved to take pictures, and treasured his slides

Even pulling over on the side of the road to capture whatever his eyes had found.

A memory of the church, Lutheran faith instilled

Grandpa and Grandma were faithful and strong

All of us were taught how important it was to love God

And that the Father, Son, and Spirit were where we belonged.

I can still hear the clicking sound

Of Grandpa’s projector jumping to the next slide

A tradition many of my cousins and I once groaned about

But we all miss the special slide shows at Grandpa’s house with family at our side.

The projector is quiet now and the screen is put away.

After 90 years of faithful serving, Grandpa Bob is with Jesus in Heaven, at peace, without pain.

And though we grieve and miss his jokes and wisdom and songs

We know Grandpa’s memories that had been fading were with him again.

Our tears will dry, Grandpa wouldn’t want us to cry

He taught us that with God as our Father, we will see him again on the other side

And forever in our hearts, each memory still plays

Because of all the holiday’s spent watching Grandpa’s slides.