My Grampa died this weekend. He would have been 93 on November 8th. Believe it or not, he was just out in Arizona with my mom and dad about 3 weeks ago. We watched the Indians, he went to the Railroad Park with us and rode on the train with Jim, the kids and myself. We had plenty of meals together. And, then, the day before their return flight to Ohio my parents brought Gramp back up to Anthem to see us before leaving. He bought us all ice cream and we hugged and kissed good-bye. My Gramp asked me when I would be back in Ohio...if we were coming home in December as we usually do. I wasn't sure so I said I would let him know.... Of course, I had no idea that would be the last day I would see my Gramp...the last time I would tell him I love him and the last time I would hug and kiss him good-bye. I am forever grateful that my parents brought him to see me that last day....when we weren't even supposed to see them again. I am fully confident that God had His hand in each and every one of my Grampa's last days. According to my parents, he was able to see and talk to each one of his family members and friends the day he died. God also blessed my Grampa with good health and a long life. This, however, does not make it easier to loose him. I loved my Grampa more than I can even put into words....they just don't make grandparents like him anymore. He was one-of-a-kind and no one will ever compare. I know it will be a long time before I get over the loss of yet another grandparent....but I also know that my Gramp will be there to give me a hug and kiss (and ask a question or two) when we meet again in Heaven. This is not good-bye forever...it is only good-bye for now....
Monday, November 5, 2007
Until We Meet Again
My Grampa died this weekend. He would have been 93 on November 8th. Believe it or not, he was just out in Arizona with my mom and dad about 3 weeks ago. We watched the Indians, he went to the Railroad Park with us and rode on the train with Jim, the kids and myself. We had plenty of meals together. And, then, the day before their return flight to Ohio my parents brought Gramp back up to Anthem to see us before leaving. He bought us all ice cream and we hugged and kissed good-bye. My Gramp asked me when I would be back in Ohio...if we were coming home in December as we usually do. I wasn't sure so I said I would let him know.... Of course, I had no idea that would be the last day I would see my Gramp...the last time I would tell him I love him and the last time I would hug and kiss him good-bye. I am forever grateful that my parents brought him to see me that last day....when we weren't even supposed to see them again. I am fully confident that God had His hand in each and every one of my Grampa's last days. According to my parents, he was able to see and talk to each one of his family members and friends the day he died. God also blessed my Grampa with good health and a long life. This, however, does not make it easier to loose him. I loved my Grampa more than I can even put into words....they just don't make grandparents like him anymore. He was one-of-a-kind and no one will ever compare. I know it will be a long time before I get over the loss of yet another grandparent....but I also know that my Gramp will be there to give me a hug and kiss (and ask a question or two) when we meet again in Heaven. This is not good-bye forever...it is only good-bye for now....
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4 comments:
Nanc...I loved your grandparents so much. Your family is such a blessing to me. I have always (since we were kids) loved to be around your entire family....especially your grandparents. The memories are countless. My heart is broken to lose them, but even more broken to see and feel your grief. I love you.
Jimbo
Such a great message, Nancy... Gramp loved you so much. You know he did because no matter what, when he'd say something to me, he'd always START with your name before eventually getting to the right one - mine! He'd say, "ugh, Nancy...Tarry, ugh, Jill...so how's it going?" But it always started with "Nancy." Must be a sign that you were his favorite. :-) I think our family is very lucky and unique in that our grandparents played such a role in our lives and who we are today. You are a great mom today in part because of their influence. I'm really going to miss you later this week. I mean that whole-heartedly. I promise you I don't say that to make you feel sad or upset, but because I just can't imagine facing this without my sisters and brother. Please don't be sad though. Just remember that I love you...
Jill
Your sisters think you should be a writer Nancy and I agree. Right now I am struggling with what to say at the funeral. I am the last minute person and I ask God to remind me of the things I should share with others. Most often I find it is something humorous, and with Gramp there are so many of those. I have found myself smiling while sitting alone or driving my car. One thing that came to mind was that our relationship was such a close one especially for being one of those "in-law" relationships. He would call me on the phone within 5 minutes of my arriving and say, "OH, are you at home." Then I would say, "wait a minute, I will check." and then he would laugh that chuckle. He and I had talked of late about how we could help and in turn witness to others. I encouraged him to help some of his buddies with their choices for Social Security and Medicare. He had been leery because he didn't want to be responsible. It only took a few minutes, however, for me to convince him that his friends knew how he "studied up" on these things and they just needed him to share that knowledge with them. Actually the next day he called and said he had stopped at an old friends house and helped him out with exactly that task. I told him that this was a great ministry for him. He loved that! When I spoke to him about the fund raiser at Kent that would help with the construction of a new Science building that would train health care people who we hoped would stay in this area, he called the next day and asked who he should make a check out to.
I still expect to hear his voice when I answer the phone because dad and I together probably talked to him at least four times per day. I am still expecting to see either a bag of donuts or four big tomatoes or green peppers on my kitchen table when I walk in the door. Then within five minutes the phone sould ring and he would ask me if I found the food, LOL.
We know this was a blessing to him. He never lost his driving privileges or ever needed assisted care and I know that is because God blessed him.
Well I just got a phone call and as gramp used to call it..... "it was one of those telemediacalls" hahaha.
Nancy,
I am so sorry for your great loss. I hope that you find comfort in your memories and the knowledge that you will be touched by him again. Not only in Heaven, but while he watches over you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I were there to hug you and give you the comfort and support that you gave to me many times.
Love,
Jen
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