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Thursday, September 06, 2012

Saying good-bye to Grandpa

My Grandpa and Grandma on their wedding day

Grandpa with Alan and me on our wedding day

My grandpa passed away last night after a long and courageous struggle with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. He was a lovely, fun-loving man and I know I am lucky to have had him in my life for so long, but my heart breaks when I think I will never see him again. I have cried a lot of tears today, and spent a lot of time remembering.

I will always cherish my childhood memories of the cousins piling into Grandpa's car each Halloween, and heading for the pumpkin patch to choose our perfect jack o'lanterns. I'll remember him taking us for milkshakes at McDonalds, and eating blackberry pie together in the church hall each September. I will never forget the strains of Hockey Night in Canada coming from the living room when we slept over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and how much I loved to sit in his reclining chair. I'll think back to days spent at the racetrack watching his horses and listening to Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree while eating french fries with ketchup in a paper tray. Oh! And the Masons' Picnic with the ice cream cups and sack races and tug of war! And going for a peanut buster parfait at Dairy Queen with him and Grandma every year on the last day of school. I'll remember the smell of the garage full of his things, and I will think of him every time I hear The Little Drummer Boy at Christmastime- it was his favourite. I'll be grateful for all the dinners we shared together before my evening classes at university the year my Grandma died, for dancing with him at my wedding, and the way he always smiled when he watched my boys playing. I will see him blowing out the candles on his cake with Dylan, with whom he almost shared a birthday.

When he first went into the hospital in the summer of 2010, I went to visit him and he said to me, "Does your Grandma know you're here? You make sure you go say hello to her before you leave." I believe he's in heaven, saying hello to her right now. After 16 years, they're together again. Maybe they've even got side-by-side easy chairs like they used to. I hope so.

Good-bye, sweet Grandpa. I love you. Give Grandma a big hug for me. 

love always, your "little Lucy"
xo 

9 comments:

  1. Erin I am so sorry for your loss. Your memories of time spent together are so special and it is wonderful to spend time remembering those moments past. Your feelings of being heartbroken are oh so familiar to me with the passing of my Granny just a few months ago and it doesn't matter how old they are and how often people say we are lucky to still have them with us at our age, their leaving is still so very hard.
    Sending you huge hugs and kisses. Take care dear.
    xx

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie! My grandfather passed away 2 years ago, and it's still hard to believe he isn't around anymore, that we won't hear his voice and laugh. Praying that God will comfort your hearts.

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  3. So sorry to hear about your grandpa. I hope the happy moments comfort you through this hard time. Love and Hugs Kelly

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  4. Oh Erin, I am so sorry for your loss. What beautiful memories you have of your Grandma and Grandpa. Sending love and hugs to you during this difficult time. xox

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  5. Oh Erin, I am so sorry to hear this, losing grandparents is so awful. I am sure your grandpa is watching over you write now, and what a handsome couple I will always love old wedding photos so beautiful.

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  6. This darling post filled my heart with such warmth. What a great person your Grandpa was! So much so, you have these beautiful memories to always keep close and how I pray they will comfort you now.

    I am here for you, sending you hugs and lots of love.

    <3

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  7. Thinking back on all those memories helps that healing emotional process I think. It's a beautiful life he had and you'll be able to cherish all these memories in your heart. xo erin.

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  8. What a sweet tribute, Erin. We went through Alzheimer's with my grandma, and I got teary when you said your grandpa would ask you to tell your grandma hello. Thinking of you & your family...

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  9. What great memories and love you had for your grandfather! I am so sorry to hear about your loss Erin. How wonderful that you got to know your grandfather and love him right into adulthood. HUGS.

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