Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Nothing short of a miracle . . .

This afternoon I received this on facebook from a friend in Nashville:

I have just now noticed that your maiden name is Redd, is it possible that you are related to a Jack Redd?

I wrote back that he was my grandpa, and asked how she knew him.

She responded with this:

Emily, I'm so sorry, I was looking for information just now on Google - so that Rob could learn more about him and saw that he passed away today. It just happened that I noticed someone in "Friend Suggestion" with the last name Redd. I immediately thought of him and hoped that whoever this person was knew him. I then saw that you were a mutual friend and thought I would ask. I had no idea what had happened. I'm so sorry for your loss. It seems so strange that tonight would be the very night I was thinking of him.

I'm a convert, as I think you know, and my dad was the president of Midwestern Oil in the 80's. Somehow, your grandpa was involved with this company. He became good friends with my dad and as did Erma with my mother. He gave my family a Book of Mormon. My parents just put it underneath some other books at the bottom of a bookcase, which I found years and years later. They always respected their examples and I believe this is the reason they eventually excepted my choice to join the church. When Rob and I got married, my parents only came because of the Redds. On my side of the room at the temple, the only people there were several members of the Redd family. Maybe your mom and dad were there . . . What an amazing family you have. What a wonderful grandpa. I'm forever grateful for the example he was to my family.

I just phoned my parents to let them know . . . my mom said, among other memories, that while my dad was in prison he sent my mom a check so that my mom could buy us Christmas presents.


Mormon 9:16-19

3 comments:

Stephanie said...

Sorry to hear about your Grandpa. That is an amazing story.

HegstromPrattFamily said...

What a beautiful story. Hope you are well. Love from us.

The Willeyes said...

What a wonderful story. How special and what an amazing legacy you have :) So awesome seeing you!