My beloved Grandpa Hale passed on to another realm February 21, 2008. I, and so very many others, are still reeling with the news that such a vivacious, energetic, and loving man is no longer with us in body. All those who loved him, who were able, joined to celebrate his magnificent life Saturday, March 8, 2008. The following is the tribute I wrote for his service. Please join with me in celebrating his life, and so many other lives, that touch us to our very core and show us what it truly means to live with integrity, vitality, and grace…
As I sit here, eyes full of tears, my heart torn between grief for the loss of my Grandpa Hale and gratitude for the privilege of having him in my life, I feel his very essence in me even now. He is incorporated into the fabric of my heart, my spirit, and the very fibers of my being.
He is now and forever in all of us who admire, cherish, and love him so very deeply. His body is at rest, but his legacy, his energy, and the gift that he was and is to all of us is still very much alive.
To hold, to love, and to cherish one another now is to hold, love, and cherish him.
I am struck by the knowledge that I have always felt him near me, in me. I know, even without always thinking the words, that I regularly make small and momentous decisions as a result of considering, "What would Grandpa do?"
"Am I a bit intimidated? Am I even a little scared? Will this cause me to stretch myself and weave even more colorful and beautiful fibers into my life? Will it enrich the lives of others? Will it inspire me or others to greater heights? Will the world be a better place if I take this turn in my life's path? And, hell, will it be fun and maybe even break the rules just a little?" That's what Grandpa would ask himself.
And if the answer is "Yes! Absolutely, Yes!" I know it's time to go for it, because that's what Grandpa would do.
I am humbled. I am blessed, I am filled to overflowing with pride to say that Jay Hale was and is my Grandpa, my mentor, and the song that fills my heart with the chorus, "What would Grandpa do?"
Here's to you, Grandpa! Fly the Universe now, for all of us, and please do come back once in a while to tell us what you see. And Grandpa, throughout your magnificent flights, know this, we are grateful to know you, to love you, to be loved by you and to be walking this planet with your magnificent song in our hearts. See you in the stars, Grandpa, where you will outshine them all!
About the Author
Angel Hale, founder of Leading Ladies, is a gifted personal/life coach and highly sought motivational speaker. After 18 spectacular years of coaching, writing, and speaking, something even more incredible happened in her practice... In 2006, Angel suddenly became aware that the majority of her clients had something strikingly in common. She discovered that her clients, like her, are women who people had been drawn to for as long as they could remember.
My main focus in art is color, design and composition. I have a true passion for color as the art subject itself - how colors fit together, how they communicate with each other within the design, how certain colors combined with one another evoke a certain feeling - this is paramount in my work. I am a social worker, artist and poet living in Austin, TX. Read More...
Angel Hale, founder of 
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