Letting Grandpa Go

By Lindsay R. Curtis, M.D.

Grandmother, known affectionately as Nana, had requested all adult members of her family to gather at her home. We knew the meeting must be important, and everyone arranged to attend. Dozens of family members gathered in front of Nana’s chair in her spacious living room. She called the meeting to order and asked one of her sons to offer a prayer. The prayer included the usual petition for Grandfather’s health to improve, for he had been very ill since his stroke.

It was with some difficulty that Nana stood up and was helped around behind her chair, which she used for support. Whenever Nana had something important to say, she stood. So we knew this was serious.

“As you know,” she began, “Grandpa has had a long, interesting, and productive life. There are few things that he would still want to do. I’m positive the Lord is pleased with Grandpa’s life here on earth.

“Grandpa is now 94 years old. He has been handicapped by a stroke that has taken his voice and his mobility. I know how much you love Grandpa and want him to get well, but the time has come for him to be freed from the earthly shackles that bind and handicap him. It is time to let him go.

“I have a special request to make of all of you,” Grandma continued. “I want you to stop praying that the Lord will heal Grandpa. Let’s all unite our faith and prayers and ask Father in Heaven to take him if it be his will.”

We knelt in prayer as a family and, united in love, petitioned Father in Heaven on behalf of our grandfather, expressing our willingness to let Grandpa go, but willing to accept the Lord’s decision.

Grandpa died within a day, and I gained a new insight into the meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 8:10 [D&C 8:10], which counsels, “Do not ask for that which you ought not.” I knew then as never before how important our prayers for one another can be.

• Lindsay R. Curtis is a member of the Green Valley First Ward, St. George Utah Green Valley Stake.