I packed lunch for Rafael in an extra-special container today. He’s using the same lunch pail that my Grandpa Max Crabtree used when he worked at Titus Manufacturing, while simultaneously being a full-time farmer.

For many years, Grandpa worked 20 hour days between the factory and the farm. When the grandchildren had an opportunity to select items from the house, I picked this because it really said a lot about my grandpa’s character. I still can see his massive, calloused hands gripping the handle or taking a rare break to drink tea out of the plaid thermos inside.

Although their work couldn’t be any more different in nature, Rafael has the same spirit of hard work that my grandpa did. That’s why I decided it was time to take the lunchpail out of the back of my closet and fill it with my dear husband’s lunch. What better way to honor the legacy of my grandpa than to use his things the same way he did.

Grandpa gave Rafael his seal of approval to my husband and the two of them, despite polar opposite backgrounds, enjoyed many conversations. They are both embody a real man – loves one woman, cherishes their children, provides for their family, stands up for what is right, and leads their family in the fear of the Lord. My favorite moment though, was when Rafael shared the gospel with Grandpa on New Year’s Day 2015. They both had a tear in their eye when Grandpa nodded “yes” and Rafael prayed to our Savior.

Grandpa’s legacy wasn’t about wealth in the bank account, although he eventually got through those lean years of extra shifts to provide a comfortable life for his family. What he did leave behind for me and my family were riches beyond measure. “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread” (Proverbs 30:8) – one meal (in a lunchbox) at a time.