When I began writing this blog, Super Bowl 50 was less than six hours away from the kickoff with my favorite team, the Carolina Panthers, facing the Denver Broncos in the final Sunday of the season. As I reflect on this exciting year, I also realize it was bittersweet for me personally.

It all began in week one when the Panthers faced the Jacksonville Jaguars. Week one always brings a great energy with every team having some level of hope, and fantasy owners thinking this will be their winning season. Like every other NFL fan, I couldn’t wait for the Panthers’ week one game to begin.

My tradition on Sundays (dating back to my years in college) was routinely calling my amazing Grandpa Jack after the games had ended. It was so much fun experiencing every game each season knowing I would break down all of the action, and discuss on the phone with my Grandpa what the Panthers did right and wrong that day. This football season, however, didn’t turn out the way that I had come to know.

On the morning of week one, my 90-year-old Grandpa Jack woke up asking my Grandma to get the whole family together that afternoon. He told her the Lord had placed on his heart the need to be with his loved ones. My Grandpa had a tough summer with endless health problems, and it was hard seeing him suffer so much.

But, football season was here and I knew that would bring my Grandpa some extra joy. When we arrived at my grandparent’s room in the assisted living facility, he was lying in bed. Although his body was breaking down in every way, his mind was still sharp and I knew his passion for football hadn’t left him.

My Grandpa didn’t want to miss kickoff, so he pulled together just enough energy to slide from the bed into his wheelchair and make his way to the lift chair positioned in front of the TV.

All of our family scrunched together in the small living room, so we could enjoy watching the Carolina Panthers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars with my Grandpa. I don’t remember much about that game, other than knowing I was soaking up my time with him.

We all knew my Grandpa’s life here on earth was coming to an end…just as another Panthers’ season was beginning. The game finished with the Panthers 1-0, and little did we know they wouldn’t lose again until December.

As the afternoon wrapped up, we all gathered around his chair to say a prayer of thankfulness – for the godly husband, father, and grandfather Jack Lawson was…for the opportunity we had to be with him on this very special Sunday…and for the remarkable 90 years of life, God allowed him to live.

Before leaving, I told my Grandpa I loved him and he told me he loved me too. I said, “See ya later, Grandpa” – knowing that later most likely meant when I reunited with him in heaven.

I fought back the tears while writing this blog, and know I will shed a few more every time I think about that Week- One Sunday game being the final time I saw my Grandpa. He passed away just four days later, so I’m especially grateful to have shared that memorable afternoon with him.

Sundays were always our day, when grandpa and grandson connected to talk football or watch football, and have conversations about life and faith. I miss my Grandpa Jack dearly and daily. Even though the football season was incredible, despite a tough loss in the Super Bowl for the Panthers, the loss of not being able to ever call my Grandpa on Sunday again is the one that will stay with me forever.

I was sad on Super Bowl Sunday when I couldn’t call him on the phone to get his yearly pregame prediction or his post-game breakdown. But, I will never forget the special memory of the final Sunday I watched the Carolina Panthers play…sitting alongside my amazing Grandpa Jack.