A Great Man Through the Eyes of a not so Great Man

Well, here I am again. You may have thought that I'm dead, but I'm not. I just took a long break from blogging while I came to view my life in a new light. There are many thoughts I have right now, but I think I will try and dedicate this entry to my patriarchal grandfather, William F. Lye. This great man died on 14 December 2010 at 80 years of age. Sadly, I didn't know my granddad as much as I now wish I did. Growing up the parents of my father lived in Logan Utah, a good two hour drive from my childhood stomping grounds of American Fork Utah. Now, that's not to say that I didn't get to see them each year at least once. I just wasn't able to make the trip to see them as often as I saw my mother's parents (probably because they live with us, and that makes a difference). By the time my dad's parents relocated to Cedar Hills Utah in April of 2009, his health was already on the decline. I'm not making excuses for not being more proactive, but there's also no point in dwelling on would have, could have, should have's.

Now, what kind of man was my grandfather you may ask? Well, this was a man that understood overcoming from an early age. When he was a child in Kimberly British Columbia Canada, he had polio. This didn't stop him from growing up and serving a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There he met his future wife and my grandmother, Velda Campbell, who was also serving as a missionary for the church. After their service they were eventually married, and began raising a family. One thing I really respect my grandfather for is legally becoming a citizen of the United States of America. Unlike many of the immigrants in today's society, he went through all the ridiculous loops the government asked him to, rather than just coming and imposing on the country. To me his life is epitomized by his everlasting quest for knowledge. I remember a picture he had in his office that stated, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance". He took the time to attend college/university all the way through a doctorates program. Once he was done with all of that he taught at Rick's College and later at Utah State University. He even became a vice president of USU during his time there. He was a very studious and industrious man. Even after his retirement he continued to keep busy as the chairman for the habitat for humanity in Cache Valley Utah.

These things may mean little or nothing to you, but to me it's kind of a big deal. This is my heritage, and what I know and remember of my granddad. I had the wonderful opportunity of attending his funeral in Logan Utah last Saturday, 18 December 2010, where I reflected on what I received from his example and influence in my life. I'm thankful for the chance that was given me to sing at his funeral and honor him. Rather than being sad for me, it was more somber (which is saying a lot for me, just ask my family). The hardest part was realizing that my dad no longer had a luxury that I hope to have for years to come, the ability to talk and seek counsel from my father. So, with Christmas being tomorrow, I would like to say that I'm truly grateful for the gift of family in my life. It makes it so much more worthwhile. Life is beautiful.