July 1, 2012
-
First off I want to thank everyone for the kind thoughts and wishes and prayers sent my families way.
It's been hard. My grandfather (grandpa which i pronounce more like gran-paw) was the glue in my very extended family. I'm even named after him.
I will miss him a lot. I am very glad I was able to go visit last May even though I was a little adament about only spending 3 days (I didn't want to spend4). The last time i talked to my grandpa was on my birthday. He was apologizing for not getting a card out to me because he had been busy with church and drs and all the other things that life brings. And I told him that it was ok that I knew he loved me.
I would not know then it would have been the last time I heard his voice.
I will miss the way he hummed. He had this tremor bass sound that I have never heard out of any other. It was a musical instrument all from inside.
We had a couple little laughs with my grandmother (gran-maw). She is such a trip. Someone at the funeral asked what happened to my grandpa and she bluntly told them that "he died". Not the cause just the facts ma'am.
I'm not sure what is going to happen with my grandmother. I think they are all playing by ear. My grandpa actually built the house they lived in. But there's talk about selling it within the year. My aunts and uncles are all taking turns right now staying and helping her since she's also had a resperatory illness for several years (my grandpa took care of her before he got sick).
My parents are still down and may not be back for a week or so. I came back home with my brother right after the funeral. It was a long day. I was pretty sick yesturday too so I'm glad I have the few extra days to recover.
My grandma wanted certain things taken pictures of so anytime she said she wanted something snapped I snapped. It kept me alert and busy and not immersed in my own thoughts.
I had never seen a picture of my grandpa without him being bald. There were even some school pictures I saw of him (HE HAD HAIR!)
I'll eventually get to putting together the photos for my grandma within the next few days.
Last thing I'd like to say...
My grandpa a couple hours before he died had a dream. My aunt that died last year came to him and told him he would be going home soon with her. Of corse he had to tell all his children when he woke up. To let them know he was fixing to be reunited with her and his savior. He fell asleep a couple hours later and passed away silently during the day. I am so glad he was at home where he loved and was at peace with his passing and is now and for always with his God.
Comments (14)
Such a sweet post. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful story. May he rest in peace.
@hesacontradiction - thank you
@my0615 - I'm sure he is thank you.
I am sorry for your loss, but agree he died under rather nice circumstances--not a long illness or in a home. My older brother died when he was 71---he just collapsed on the floor and was gone in 10 seconds. I fear an long lingering illness like the cancer on my face is spreading again under my right eye.
I am sure your grandmother will be taken care of in a fair and understanding way.
Again, sorry for your loss and glad that you got to seen him before he was gone.
hugs
frank
Oh my, what a beautiful ending to his life. If only we all could be so fortunate!! Your grandmaw reminds me of Betty White! Maybe you should tell her that. My mom was a character as well. I miss her so much and I wish I knew then what I know now and could give her so much credit for living a cheerful life. I have a feeling you take after your grandmaw. Do you think so?
@ANVRSADDAY - I think he did die a way that is better than most. He had 3 of his 4 remaining children there with him taking care of him plus his wife. In the home he loved and built himself. He was very blessed. Half the church was filled with his family (all of us alternating the boo hoos) And so many young girls (all his grand children)!
We all have our crosses to bear. And no one knows exactly how we'll go. I can worry about dying of cancer for years and then might have a car accident instead etc. No use in worrying. Just take it one day at a time and hold on for the love of your family and friends. God will is the only one that truely knows.
@LadyofWaters - Thanks for your thoughts on this serious issue.
@Sojourner_here - I think after this weekend I would have to say I'm a little of both. I am very blunt like my grandma. Love that but sometimes it hurts peoples feelings (unknowingly sometimes). Thankfully I got my height from my grandpa cause grandma is only about 4 foot tall! She's very strong though which I wouldn't have thought of earlier. In a way she does remind me of Betty White but not her lately (grandma would never act like her sitcom characters now maybe her characters from Golden Girl though she never told too many stories that was always Grandpa's job. Her memory is like mine though. Grandpa's even up till the end his mind was as sharp as a sword. Still worrying about her as well. Telling my aunts and uncles they needed to make sure she started eating better because she didn't need to loose anymore weight. Hopefully my mom is fattening her back up. Mom and dad are still down there.
@ANVRSADDAY - I had been reading a book called Fearless by Max Luacado (might got that last name wrong) He is a pretty good christian writer out of San Antonio, Tx. I had never read anything by him before but since I am very anxious at times I decided to pick it up for obvious reasons. There's a lot of good stuff in it. We seem to worry about everything these days. And it gets right to the facts of the matter on why we shouldn't. Basically God is in control always. (that's my little sumary anyway) You should check it out. I know you don't read much but I think you would like this book. I'm sure they have an audio version too you could listen to while driving.
@LadyofWaters - I love Lucado books and even had his devotional Bible at one time. I will get this one--I am not up today on such publications.
hugs
frank
I am sorry to hear he passed, but glad to hear it was under peaceful circumstances. Like he knew what happened and wasn't scared.
@ANVRSADDAY - this was the first one I'd read. I'll definitely continue reading him.
@under_the_carpet - he did know. He had a sharp mind threw out his life. Even to the end.
Comments are closed.