When B and I were deciding on a wedding date last summer, November 9th was one of our top options. Not only was it the first Saturday our venue had available, but it would also be my grandparent's 67th wedding anniversary.
 |
| Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day in 1946. |
After some serious thought research of sunset times on that day, we decided to have our wedding earlier in October. Instead we would honor my grandparents in another way, like an anniversary dance.
Well, you know what they say, life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.
About a month ago my mom informed me that my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four cancer. At the time, he was given 6 months. The reality set in that he may not make it to the wedding. It broke my heart.
This past month, things deteriorated pretty quickly. So quickly that I never got a chance to go back and see him before he passed away this Saturday. It kills me that I was home in June and didn't have time to see him. At that point in time, there was no indication that things would end this way. I was still thinking I would see him at the wedding. I also struggled with making a last minute trip home. But in the end I made the selfish decision not to. Both my mom and Grandma said that he wasn't well and not like himself. I wanted to preserve the memory of my cheery, smiling, thoughtful Grandfather.
 |
| During the war in Guadacanal |
My grandfather, probably like yours, was part of "the Greatest Generation". He is a veteran of World War 2, serving some of his time on Iwojima. When he returned from the war, he married a young woman he met at a dance while on leave. Soon thereafter, they had their first child, my mother. A couple years later, they had their second. Something I just learned this weekend was that their third child, another girl, died shortly after birth a year to the day before my uncle (the 4th child) was born.
On September 5th, my Grandfather will rest next to the daughter he never got to know and raise at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
 |
| My mom and grandfather on one of the many cruises they took us on |
One legacy my Grandfather worked very hard to leave his grandchildren is an appreciation for history, culture, and travel. My grandparents spent most of their retirement traveling all over the world. Us kids were very fortunate to tag along on some of those trips.
As I got older, our relationship became very special. We were able to discuss random current events, college basketball, or any of the latest books we had read. Whenever my mom or my Grandmother would have one of their stubborn moments, it would be my Grandfather and I who would exchange glances, like "here we go again".
But he had a heart of gold. He was kind, gentle, thoughtful, humble, and goofy. He would literally give the shirt off of his back to anyone. When my grandparents weren't traveling, it seems like he was always giving his time to others. Whether it was a neighbor down the hall or down at the USO. He also had the patience of a saint to put up with our family. We are not known for our easy-going attitudes. Some especially more than others.
The silver lining in all of this, is that knowing his time was coming to an end, I was able to send him my thoughts and love. I wanted him to know what a wonderful example he set for us, which I reinforced in a letter I wrote to him a couple weeks ago:
Grandpa, you have been such an inspiration. In life,
marriage, work, and family. Like I said earlier, I think you set the bar too
high for the rest of us. If I can accomplish half of what you have, I will
consider that a success. I hope I can lead my life by your example.
 |
| Me and grandpa. |
I'll see you again one day. Love you, Grandpa.
.JPG)
