In Memory of Ty

I write this now - b/c I'm not sure I could get up and speak it at a eulogy, and I'm hurting, but happy and going through all these emotions....

Saturday morning, we, family, and friends lost an incredible man, and heaven gained one of the most talented men I've ever met in my life. Ty Grant (see below for those of you who don't know mine and Dan's relationship with him) died in a motorcycle accident. No specifics yet. He was wearing a helmet and he was an experienced rider.

I met Ty Grant and his wife, Jen 6 years ago when I started playing in the praise and worship team at our church. They were an incredible couple, and God used Ty in so many ways in my life and my husband's life, and the lives of my children. He pushed me to play to the best of my ability for God. He admonished me like his daughter, and loved my husband and my children. He was their surrogate grandfather. He would always call me out when I was wrong, and help me realize what was right. He was a loving father, a good husband who loved his wife and worked hard. He never accepted a "thank you" or a hug, but by his smile and his eyes, you could always tell that he accepted those things.

I will never forget him bopping his head back and forth...getting into the music. Or how many times I teased him about getting an afro on that bald head of his...or how I playfully teased him about turning off the lights and only seeing his teeth glow in the dark. He loved chocolate cake, but he was allergic to chocolate as well.

He will be missed by all - he touched so many lives...and even as we grieve, heartbroken and unbelieving that this could happen....we know, that he beat us to the punch...as he always did with me....he's with his Daddy. And for that....a part of me can still play, can still sing the songs in my heart to God that I want to sooo badly.

Ty - while you never acknowledged how much you were loved by so many people - I hope that you did really know...how loved by us here on Earth that you were. Goodbye T-Dogg. Lucky Dogg....you met Him before we did.

We will miss you so much...