The sun is always shining

Most recently I have encountered the term hero. What is a hero? How do you define one? Is it someone who saves lives, or someone who saves the day? Does hero imply cape and tights, or can a hero wear shorts and a t-shirt like the rest of us? Joesph Cambell once said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life, to something bigger than oneself.” Enter George Charles Jourden.

The ancient tall tales of walking to school in the snow uphill, both ways, aren’t where this story starts. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve actually ever even heard them. This story starts years down the road… third generation stuff… the Grandchildren Era. The point where at 24 years old I am still, and will always be, humbled by my grandfather.

The blissful young memories I remember with Grandpa George involve playing and growing in the old Farmington house, trick-or-treating, walking to the Dairy Twist and learning how to ride a bike with grandpa. He always made his grandchildren his top priority, sometimes even over his own girls. He didn’t miss a beat on athletic and school events, giving rides on his “big bad” motorcycles or playing games.

Then the move to Brighton came and although leaving the old house was bittersweet, it brought grandpa closer, which nobody complained about. My high school life had begun- boys, friends, tears and more sports. And wouldn’t you know, grandpa got to experience it all. Lucky guy. He and Grandma Linda got to know my friends; they began to share in what and who I was becoming. I couldn’t have asked for better, younger, cooler and more “hip” grandparents.

Memories aside, want to know the truth about Grandpa George? He encompasses everything about the Jourden family. I challenge you to sit down with any one of his daughters, their husbands, or their children, his own siblings, nieces or nephews. Ask them about him; see what it is they have to say. He’s every reason the family exists. He’s the reason I will forever think of my aunts as older sisters and women I look to for help, when hurting or need love. He’s every reason I feel absolutely blessed to be one of the oldest grandchildren; I have younger cousins that I’ve been able to watch grow, and who look to grandpa for all the same things I did.

The story comes full circle for me, when I can sit next to Grandpa George at one of the other grandchildren’s swim meets, band concerts or birthday parties and see the way he looks at them. How much he wants and chooses to be involved with all of us and every detail of our lives… how much he endures… and how much love he is capable of spreading. To me, a hero is a man who is so selfless, has worked so hard to be where and who he is and who provides a wonderful life for his wife, children and grandchildren alike. He is George Jourden. Challenge me.

To my handsome, charming, wonderful Grandfather,

Happy 70 years young!

Love Always,

Amanda

It's funny sometimes, how life throws you curve balls you never see coming...

My grandpa, who turned 70 years on June 8, 2010 has visited with some doctors and discovered an aortic aneurysm pumping upward on the right side of his heart. To anyone who doesn't understand what this is, it's an area of a localized widening of a blood vessel. When this occurs in the human heart, it involves the aorta, one of the large arteries through which blood passes from the heart to the rest of the body. Because of this, my grandfather has been pricked and prodded, undergone a heart cath and will be having open heart surgery this Friday morning at 5:30am in Grand Rapids.

Grandpa taking a break from water volleyball to blow out his birthday candles

This is not an easy surgery, they will have to crack ribs and sternum to get in, as well as, it could be pretty lengthy. My thoughts? Bring it on. My grandpa is the strongest man I've ever met. He has a surgeon that has guaranteed him a 99% success rate. His 70 year old body is GURANTEED in better shape than mine at 24. I have hope and faith, that this is in God's hands and the outcome will be pleasing. The doctor has spoken of a 5 or 6 day hospital stay and a 10 week full recovery. Grandpa George seems to think his hospital stay will max out at about 3 to 4 days and he'll be back to golfing 18 and riding his motorcycle in no time. :)

I can't tell you what mental happiness and optimism do for me. I think they're the best cure to any sad day; they always provide the greener, sunnier other side to life. Can't wait to see you on the other side grandpa :)

God Bless.