Grandpa was married to his soul-mate Jane for 59 years. The love story between Grandpa and Grammy is a wonderful one. After decades of marriage, they were just as in love – possibly even more so – as when they first said “I do.” Grammy nursed Grandpa back to health after his hospital stays dozens of times and considered it a privilege to be able to do so. Taking him to dialysis or his frequent doctor appointments was never a chore, but an opportunity to go on a drive with her best friend.
Grandpa’s passing has left a hole in his family. However, the legacy he leaves behind is nothing short of incredible. Three amazing children, seven grandchildren, and hundreds of people whose lives he touched. Grandpa and Grammy knew how to live life to the fullest. They took years of dancing lessons together, twirling around in tuxedos and beautiful gowns. They loved to travel and often went on family vacations with all of their children and grandchildren. Brian has countless stories of snowmen he built with Grandpa, toys he fixed, and late night desserts! Looking through photo albums this past weekend, it is easy to see that Grandpa loved life and was eager to live it to its fullest.
Grandpa experienced a myriad of health problems for the last several years of his life but the average onlooker would never have known this was the case. Grandpa would ask for his “medicine” – candy or cookies – with a twinkle in his eye, even when he could not get out of bed to get them himself. He told jokes and stories with a beaming grin behind the oxygen tubes in his nose.
Although I was only blessed to know him for five years, I have been forever changed from his presence in our lives. Those of you who know me know that I have a hard time sitting still. I have classes at the law school, go to work, and read cases for the next day late into the night. Sometimes I am so burned out that all I want to do is sit in front of the TV until I think it’s late enough to go to sleep. I often shrug when Brian asks if I would like to do something after work because I feel that my time is better spend deep cleaning the house or getting ahead in my Con Law class. Stopping to "smell the roses" is something I am not very good at.
Grandpa has inspired me to make a change. When I am 80 years old, having a sparkling clean bathroom or a dish-free sink 50 years prior is not what Brian and I will remember. We will recall late-night trips to get ice cream, spontaneous weekend getaways, long doggie walks, and fun trips with our future children. I do not want to measure my life by my grades, the cleanliness of my house, or how many pages of a law textbook I read at night. These are not the things that make life wonderful. Life is wonderful because of the people we share it with. I have an amazing family, fabulous in-laws, and my best friend for a husband. I have been blessed by everyone in my life.
It’s time I embrace this life like Grandpa did, and live it to its fullest. I vow to go on more weekend trips, laugh more, and to let the dishes "soak" overnight sometimes :) I love you Grandpa, and when I see you again someday, I will have some awesome life stories to share with you!
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