October 23, 2016
October 23, 2016
My name is Jason Couch, I am the third grandchild of Bill Couch. Gaila and his sons have kindly asked me to share a few thoughts from the perspective of a grandchild.
A few years ago this quote was shared and I felt like it represented Grandpa’s life.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
I would like to conclude the meeting with a few thoughts. Grandpa was an inspiration to me of achieving goals and seeking for excellence in everyday life. As we have listened to stories and experiences from Grandpa Couch’s life I like to believe we are all better people for having him a part of our lives. Although he was not my father, I think that the immeasurable influence my own father has been in my life in both preparing me to be a member of society and a father was because his own father set the example for him. You see, Grandpa’s father died when he was only a young man of about 12… Where did Grandpa learn how to be the wonderful father he was? I like to think that the seed was planted in him by his father Albert Sr. long ago, demonstrating the importance of this vital role of fatherhood. Great Grandpa and Grandma Couch set the precedence of how Grandpa would treat his fellow man. Grandpa made every effort to support his grandchildren in their interests, he would go out of his way to ensure he was at important events in our lives, such as graduations, sporting events, musical recitals. He had his own way of giving us compliments. He would say things like, “You’re following your Grandpa’s example of being an excellent baseball player.” Or, “you’re a handsome man, you must have inherited those looks from me.” Also, he had a way of saying things that only made you love him more like, “My good looks are only exceeded by my humility.” Or if you asked him how he slept last night he would respond, “With my eyes closed.” I still smile today when I think of the times we would visit him at the Springs, he would be sure that everyone we visited with at the Springs knew who his grandchildren were and that we were trying to accomplish great things in life.
I don’t think I ever heard Grandpa say the words, “I’m proud of you Jason.” Rather, he showed his great pride in his grandchildren by the way he would almost unceasingly share the events of their lives with his friends and neighbors. On the subject of his characteristics and how I will remember him, Bill Couch was a man of action. He would show his love by actions more than just by his words, he liked doing things for the people he loved. I remember growing up and visiting and Grandma Anne in Lewiston or at their home in Lake Oswego, and later in Sherwood with Gaila, there was always a freshly cooked breakfast on Saturday mornings. In fact, it isn’t uncommon that at a Couch family meal, we are planning the next meal! Grandpa’s quirks were an endearing quality that added to his charm. He had many sayings; Randy even recalled that Grandpa would always ask him often, “What kind of shoes are those? What are they for?” Randy would give him a quizzical look and courteously respond, “For walking?”
He will be greatly missed by us, his grandchildren. We recognize the great difficulties he has been through in recent years and do share with you in a sigh of relief that he is no longer suffering from dementia. I hope I don’t speak only for myself when I say that I believe I will see him again, he will be renewed, in the prime of his life, with all his faculties. Maybe I won’t recognize him at first because I only remember him as Grandpa Couch in his later years, but his presence, his spirit will be what will make him familiar and then I can again enjoy his company and his happy disposition. May I finish with a short story, followed by a quote?
Saint Francis of Assisi was a monk who devoted the later end of his adult life to Christian service and preaching the gospel. The mendicant friars, came into being in the early thirteenth century. Rather than secluding themselves in monasteries, they sought to carry the Christian message by preaching and doing good deeds. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order of monks and the city of San Francisco is named in his honor. He sought to follow the example of Christ in service and poverty. He was a man of action, he believed that it was his actions that showed his love for his fellowman and the Lord.
In a way, Grandpa Couch similarly was this way, a man of action and showed his love by doing. At his passing I’m sure we all have reflected on the reality of mortality, we will all die someday and make the journey Grandpa has made. May each of us be renewed in our efforts to look beyond ourselves, for it is service and kindness toward others that is an antidote to selfishness and the emptiness in secular pursuits. It is in this spirit that I would like to share the peace prayer, written anonymously in honor of St. Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying… that we are born to eternal life."
Grandpa Couch unified his family, we are all closer because of his efforts. Now with him off on new adventures, in his absence, I hope we will all strive to maintain the family bond and keep the lines of communication open. Let us adopt the attitude taught in this prayer.
Thank you.
A few years ago this quote was shared and I felt like it represented Grandpa’s life.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
I would like to conclude the meeting with a few thoughts. Grandpa was an inspiration to me of achieving goals and seeking for excellence in everyday life. As we have listened to stories and experiences from Grandpa Couch’s life I like to believe we are all better people for having him a part of our lives. Although he was not my father, I think that the immeasurable influence my own father has been in my life in both preparing me to be a member of society and a father was because his own father set the example for him. You see, Grandpa’s father died when he was only a young man of about 12… Where did Grandpa learn how to be the wonderful father he was? I like to think that the seed was planted in him by his father Albert Sr. long ago, demonstrating the importance of this vital role of fatherhood. Great Grandpa and Grandma Couch set the precedence of how Grandpa would treat his fellow man. Grandpa made every effort to support his grandchildren in their interests, he would go out of his way to ensure he was at important events in our lives, such as graduations, sporting events, musical recitals. He had his own way of giving us compliments. He would say things like, “You’re following your Grandpa’s example of being an excellent baseball player.” Or, “you’re a handsome man, you must have inherited those looks from me.” Also, he had a way of saying things that only made you love him more like, “My good looks are only exceeded by my humility.” Or if you asked him how he slept last night he would respond, “With my eyes closed.” I still smile today when I think of the times we would visit him at the Springs, he would be sure that everyone we visited with at the Springs knew who his grandchildren were and that we were trying to accomplish great things in life.
I don’t think I ever heard Grandpa say the words, “I’m proud of you Jason.” Rather, he showed his great pride in his grandchildren by the way he would almost unceasingly share the events of their lives with his friends and neighbors. On the subject of his characteristics and how I will remember him, Bill Couch was a man of action. He would show his love by actions more than just by his words, he liked doing things for the people he loved. I remember growing up and visiting and Grandma Anne in Lewiston or at their home in Lake Oswego, and later in Sherwood with Gaila, there was always a freshly cooked breakfast on Saturday mornings. In fact, it isn’t uncommon that at a Couch family meal, we are planning the next meal! Grandpa’s quirks were an endearing quality that added to his charm. He had many sayings; Randy even recalled that Grandpa would always ask him often, “What kind of shoes are those? What are they for?” Randy would give him a quizzical look and courteously respond, “For walking?”
He will be greatly missed by us, his grandchildren. We recognize the great difficulties he has been through in recent years and do share with you in a sigh of relief that he is no longer suffering from dementia. I hope I don’t speak only for myself when I say that I believe I will see him again, he will be renewed, in the prime of his life, with all his faculties. Maybe I won’t recognize him at first because I only remember him as Grandpa Couch in his later years, but his presence, his spirit will be what will make him familiar and then I can again enjoy his company and his happy disposition. May I finish with a short story, followed by a quote?
Saint Francis of Assisi was a monk who devoted the later end of his adult life to Christian service and preaching the gospel. The mendicant friars, came into being in the early thirteenth century. Rather than secluding themselves in monasteries, they sought to carry the Christian message by preaching and doing good deeds. St. Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order of monks and the city of San Francisco is named in his honor. He sought to follow the example of Christ in service and poverty. He was a man of action, he believed that it was his actions that showed his love for his fellowman and the Lord.
In a way, Grandpa Couch similarly was this way, a man of action and showed his love by doing. At his passing I’m sure we all have reflected on the reality of mortality, we will all die someday and make the journey Grandpa has made. May each of us be renewed in our efforts to look beyond ourselves, for it is service and kindness toward others that is an antidote to selfishness and the emptiness in secular pursuits. It is in this spirit that I would like to share the peace prayer, written anonymously in honor of St. Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying… that we are born to eternal life."
Grandpa Couch unified his family, we are all closer because of his efforts. Now with him off on new adventures, in his absence, I hope we will all strive to maintain the family bond and keep the lines of communication open. Let us adopt the attitude taught in this prayer.
Thank you.
