Always Remember / Never Forget

With September 11th being tomorrow, I have already begun reflecting on the magnitude of the day.
I had to stop & think ...
how many years ago the terrorist attacks were - 6
and how many years ago my grandpa H. died - 3

I couldn't believe it has only been 3 years since my grandpa passed away - it seems like forever ago. I think that is because he had been "gone" to Alzheimer's for SO many years before he finally died.

President George W. Bush said this about Ronald Regan at his funeral:
"We lost Ronald Regan only days ago but we have missed him for a long time. We have missed his kindly presence, that reassuring voice and the happy ending we had wished for him. It has been...years since he said his own farewell, yet it is still very sad and hard to let him go."
That was just a few months before my grandpa died. I remember thinking "that's exactly how we feel about grandpa".

Remembering the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 is still painful. I think that's why I would rather "never forget" than "always remember". It's the opposite with my grandpa. He was an amazing, selfless, loving, kind, gentle, humble, Christlike man. Of course he wasn't perfect, but I think grandkids see & remember the best about their grandparents & my grandpa was nearly there in my eyes & know I'm not alone in thinking that way. He is someone that should always be remembered...it's so much more than never forgetting. The sacrament prayers say "always remember" Christ (not never forget).

I will post a part 2 to this, but I really have to get back to work. part of it is already written, but I don't want to post it until it is complete - half thoughts on deep topics are not fair to me or anyone reading this.