Monday, May 18, 2009

Tuesday's Tribute: My Grandpa

A little over a year ago my parents and grandparents came to visit our family and see our newest addition. It had been over a year since I had seen my grandparents, so it was nice to have them at our house. We had a fun visit. Of course Eli got passed around so everyone could hold him.

Here is a picture of Eli and his Great-Grandpa. Isn't it sweet?

I don't remember anything really remarkable about that visit. Maybe if I had known that it would be one of the last times that I would see, talk to, and hug my Grandpa, perhaps I might have paid more attention and memorized each detail of his visit.

Saturday morning my Grandpa passed away.

His death was not unexpected. His cancer had returned, and we all knew the time was short. The past few months Grandpa had not been doing well. In a way, his death was a relief because now he would be free from the pains of this life.

It didn't hit me until Sunday that Grandpa was truly not with us anymore. I won't get to see his smiling face; hear his deep, kind voice; tell him I love him or give him a big hug the next time we part. It makes me sad even though I know I will see him again someday.

Raising my own family the past few years had kept me busy and I had not seen Grandpa very often, but I will miss him.

My Grandpa was a kind, honest, dependable, hard-working, and friendly man. I loved visiting his house as a child. We always had fun at Grandpa's house. I remember how Grandpa always had a smile ready for us and the way he used to carry butterscotch or rootbeer barrel candies in his pockets for his grandkids.

I remember the cupboard at the end of the hallway that was stocked with toys for us to play with and enjoy. I remember how fascinated I was with the staircase that went up to the huge door in the ceiling, granting access to the second floor. I remember singing songs and playing games on many occasions with my grandparents. I remember the yummy taste of the fresh fish Grandpa caught that he would share with us when we visited. I remember the taste of the cold, homemade rootbeer we drank out of teeny bottles that Grandpa kept just for the little ones on hot summer afternoons. I have so many memories of Grandpa's house. It was a magical place for me as a little girl, and I wanted to live there when I grew up.

Grandpa always had time to listen to us, and he loved to tease his grandkids. I am sad that my children will never get to know what a wonderful man he was. I guess it is up to me to tell them about him and show them the type of person he was by trying each day to be a little more like him.

I love you Grandpa. I will miss you. I look forward to seeing you again.

Tuesday's Tribute

14 comments:

  1. I am very sorry for your loss. Last year I lost both my great-grandma (yes, great-grandma) and my godfather. I have many wonderful memories of them but unfortunately, my kids never got a chance to know them like I did. That will always make me sad.
    ((Hugs))

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  2. Beautiful post.
    We are sorry for your loss...

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  3. There is another gal here in blogland who just lost her grandfather recently. She had similar things to say about him as well.

    There is just just something special about grandparents! What a blessing that you have all those precious memories of him, and yes..praise the Lord, you will be able to see him again one day!!

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  4. sorry for your loss... it is never an easy thing to lose someone you love, but just know he is not in pain and is now at peace

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  5. That is a beautiful tribute. I am so very sorry that you lost your grandpa. You and your family are in my prayers.

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  6. I am sorry for your loss, your family will be in my prayers.

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  7. Oh Honey, I'm so sorry for your loss. You have such wonderful memories of your grandpa ~ for that, I envy you. He sounds like a truly wonderful man, and you have paid him a beautiful tribute.

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  8. What a beautiful tribute to your grandfather. Sorry for your loss.

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  9. so sorry for your loss...what a great tribute to a great man! i love that picture!

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  10. I'm sorry for the loss of your Grandfather. :(


    (((Hugs)))

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  11. What an amazing tribute and what an amazing photograph of Eli and your grandpa. I miss my gpa terribly but I know he's in a much better place! I will pray for your strength through this difficult time :) Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! He sounds like such a sweet man. I'm glad he was able to meet your little ones - I know you will treasure those moments forever!

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  13. Sounds like your grandpa left a void in his midst, but that he also left plenty of memories to keep his spirit alive. You probably have many stories to tell your kids about him.

    It's hard when you lose a grandparent. I only have a great-grandma and grandma (a mother-daughter set) left. It's hard as my son grows to think he won't get to know the others who meant so much to me.

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  14. What a wonderful tribute to your grandfather. I am so sorry for your loss.

    Last December, my DH's granny passed away.

    http://denisermt.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/cheerio-mah-wee-granny/

    Thank you sharing your story.

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