My Final Tribute

These were the words I spoke at the memorial service.

My memaw tells me a story of when I was a little girl. She says that they had a picture of paw paw hanging in their house and I would just stare at it. After staring at it for quite some time, I would, with great adoration in my voice say "Paw Paw".
He was my paw paw. I still feel that same adoration and awe for him today.
If you asked me who I was to Ralph Woerner, I wouldn't say "His granddaughter", because the truth is I was much more than that. No instead I would say "I am the apple of his eye". That is what paw paw called his granddaughters as we sat in his lap.
I love being the apple of his eye. His delight. Paw Paw didn't have granddaughters, he had princesses. and just as any good king would do, he trained us what royalty was all about. It is much more that pretty crowns and jewels. It is about being a leader in a world full of followers.

My paw paw was a man of passion. He was strong willed and passionate about all that he loved and the one that he loved the most, Jesus. He was so determined to get the good news of Jesus Christ out into this world and he was successful.

The first time he met my husband David, he asked him point blank, "What are you going to do with your life?". Paw Paw was a man of purpose. He lived his life to the fullest a life can be lived.

Ralph Woerner is the greatest man I have ever known. It is my honor to be a part of him.
The night before his funeral, all the cousins gathered to tell one last memory of our dear paw paw. My eight year old was in the room listening intently. As we all laughed hysterically at the wonderful memory, my child said, "Tell me more". My response: " Oh there will be more my child." Because I know that my children's children will know of the greatness of God through this man.
My paw paw is dancing with Jesus. Though for a short time I cannot see him or touch him, his legacy will go on for generations. There is no end to a man such as that.
It was his hearts desire to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is gone but his dream is not.
As his princess I will carry on his dream. I will live a life madly in love with Jesus.
He is my paw paw and his passion runs through my blood.
And So...his story continues to be written...