On this day... four years ago...

I can't believe it has been four years. On this day, November 16 back in the year 2004, my grandpa passed away. It was probably the worst day of my life, and I can still remember the details vividly in my head, though I will spare the story. It's still hard to tell.
For some people, the death of a grandparent doesn't bring much sorrow. But for my family, it is way different. We are so close. We hadn't had a close death in the family before. It was a very trying time for us. However, God is faithful. I never would have thought that something good could come of tragedy, but there was a light in the midst of overwhelming darkness. This experience drew my family so close, it's hard to imagine. The night of his passing, I remember sitting in my grandma's living room looking at old pictures. We laughed and cried at the memories. Family that I hadn't seen in years was there, wiping tears with us. Friends and church members provided food and support. It was so touching how God carried us through this moment.
Even though this was an awful day, I take comfort from one thought. I will see my grandpa again. We know without a doubt that he was a Christian, and were it not for that, I am certain that I wouldn't have been able to go on. But I will see him again! Right now, I miss him so terribly that my heart aches just typing this... but I wouldn't wish him back to this world. Not with everything that is happening now. He is in such an awesome place right now. I mean, he is in God's presence! How I wish I was there with him! Someday I will be. Someday our whole family will be reunited.
It was kind of ironic because today in church we sang the hymn "Until Then". For those who don't know the words, the chorus goes:
"But until then my heart will go on singing. Until then, with joy I'll carry on. Until the day, my eyes
behold the city. Until the day, God calls me home."
Those are such touching words for me. I will carry on with joy because I know that my grandpa is up there cheering for me. And even as I type this, I can feel God's comfort in my life. I am not alone. I have never been and never will be alone. God walked that road of grief with me. He knew my pain. He kept every tear that I cried. He held me in my darkest moments. And because of that, I enjoy a closer walk with Him today.
So right now, I just want to say "Hello" to my angel in the sky. I will see you again, Grandpa!