Grandpa
February 24, 2005
Grandpa-
We all knew that this day would come. This day is one that none of us can avoid and it’s the same for people all over the world. It can be sad to lose a loved one, but we are only crying because we will miss you. I know that if there is such a thing as heaven, that’s where you are headed. Someone somewhere needs you more than we do. I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to deal with death so closely in my life until now. I understand now. I’ll cry for you, but I know you’ll be looking over me. You’ll be looking over all of us, your family. I hope you know the extent to which we all love you.
I have the fondest memories of you and Grandma. It makes me happy to think about the times that Wendy and I used to spend the night at your house when we were younger. You always watched the news and read before going to sleep. You woke up early every day, as I imagine you did for much of your life. It’s the only time that I ever liked to get up early. Most of the time as I remember it, you were up at least an hour before everyone else and already out working on the farm. I admire you more than I can begin to explain.
I don’t remember when this was, but I have an image in my head of a particular day and a particular you. I was sleeping on the couch and it was still light outside. When I woke up, you were standing over me and watching me sleep. I wish I knew what you were thinking. I always got the impression that you were proud of me. I felt it in the hug I gave you every time before I left your house and I felt it whenever you looked at me.
I regret not visiting you more during your last years and having not seen you often in the few months before your death. I hope you understand, and that you really are proud of me. I’m going to imagine you watching over me and looking out for me, as I hope you will. I will see you again. It’s just a matter of time.
I want you to know that I admire you and am so proud of you. I know that you have lived a fulfilling life, and you will be missed. I hope you’re at peace and not in anymore pain. It’s impossible for me to comprehend, at this point in my life, what the last few years have been like for you. The unknown is scary to me right now. I’m crying because I’m scared and I don’t feel like I’m ready to let you go yet, but I know I have no choice. Your family is so fortunate to have had you this long, which to be honest is longer than any of us expected after your health problems sprung up a few years ago. You’ve overcome so much and you are such an amazing man.
I always felt a special connection to you because you had a twin brother and it’s interesting that it runs in our family. I can’t even imagine what it was like when you lost Sam, just like I can’t imagine what it’d be like if I lost Wendy. I just want you to know that I love you so much. I’ll miss you and think of you often. Please look over me during my surgery. I hope you understand why I haven’t been around and that you’ll accept this as my goodbye. I’ll see you when I get there.
Michelle (Sis)
Grandpa-
We all knew that this day would come. This day is one that none of us can avoid and it’s the same for people all over the world. It can be sad to lose a loved one, but we are only crying because we will miss you. I know that if there is such a thing as heaven, that’s where you are headed. Someone somewhere needs you more than we do. I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to deal with death so closely in my life until now. I understand now. I’ll cry for you, but I know you’ll be looking over me. You’ll be looking over all of us, your family. I hope you know the extent to which we all love you.
I have the fondest memories of you and Grandma. It makes me happy to think about the times that Wendy and I used to spend the night at your house when we were younger. You always watched the news and read before going to sleep. You woke up early every day, as I imagine you did for much of your life. It’s the only time that I ever liked to get up early. Most of the time as I remember it, you were up at least an hour before everyone else and already out working on the farm. I admire you more than I can begin to explain.
I don’t remember when this was, but I have an image in my head of a particular day and a particular you. I was sleeping on the couch and it was still light outside. When I woke up, you were standing over me and watching me sleep. I wish I knew what you were thinking. I always got the impression that you were proud of me. I felt it in the hug I gave you every time before I left your house and I felt it whenever you looked at me.
I regret not visiting you more during your last years and having not seen you often in the few months before your death. I hope you understand, and that you really are proud of me. I’m going to imagine you watching over me and looking out for me, as I hope you will. I will see you again. It’s just a matter of time.
I want you to know that I admire you and am so proud of you. I know that you have lived a fulfilling life, and you will be missed. I hope you’re at peace and not in anymore pain. It’s impossible for me to comprehend, at this point in my life, what the last few years have been like for you. The unknown is scary to me right now. I’m crying because I’m scared and I don’t feel like I’m ready to let you go yet, but I know I have no choice. Your family is so fortunate to have had you this long, which to be honest is longer than any of us expected after your health problems sprung up a few years ago. You’ve overcome so much and you are such an amazing man.
I always felt a special connection to you because you had a twin brother and it’s interesting that it runs in our family. I can’t even imagine what it was like when you lost Sam, just like I can’t imagine what it’d be like if I lost Wendy. I just want you to know that I love you so much. I’ll miss you and think of you often. Please look over me during my surgery. I hope you understand why I haven’t been around and that you’ll accept this as my goodbye. I’ll see you when I get there.
Michelle (Sis)