Hi all.
My grandpa passed away last Saturday afternoon and it is killing me to be so far from family and home right now. I am struggling to function enough to get caught up on comments and such. It's good for me to do this kind of stuff, because it's distracts me for a little while, but if I pause for a moment then I am sobbing again.
My grandpa is everything to me. My biological father was never around, so my grandpa (and three uncles) filled that role. Grandpa and I were best buddies from the start and I don't have a single favorite childhood memory that does not include him.
Summers meant catching fireflies in jars, and scooping up Monarch butterflies in nets for Grandma. It meant rootbeer floats and 'camp meat' when he was grilling (just hot dogs, but theyre always better fresh off the grill), and husking sweet corn outside. It meant family vacations, sitting beside him in the front seat to 'keep him awake' while driving, with my mom and Grandma laughing in the backseat.
Watching him be BopBop (she could not say Grandpa for ages and the name stuck) to Eleanor for twelve years was nothing short of beautiful and I am forever grateful we got that many, though it will never be enough. From the time she was itty bitty, Eleanor was clothed in pink overalls and John Deere t-shirts for visits to the farm. They chased geese and rode the tractor through the empty fields. After, they'd be sitting on the deck, eating peanuts from the shell, swatting flies, and husking corn, just like when I was little.
I was lucky enough to be the first grandchild and have Grandma and Grandpa all to myself for ten years; the countless memories are both a blessing and a curse - making me smile and cry at the same time.
I decided since I have already posted nothing for my fall review challenge, I am not going to bother with it. I will still post easily-queued stuff, like Stacking the Shelves and Tackling the TBR, but I can't focus long enough to finish a review and quite honestly, I don't really want to right now.
Please keep my Grandma in your thoughts. After sixty-six years, she is suddenly without the man she married when she was seventeen and he was nineteen. It's going to be a very hard road for all of us, but her especially.
Thank you,
~Sarah~
I'm really sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI was never close to my grandparents from either side but I can understand just how important they are - especially in the case of an absent father. Once the understandable grief has diminished you'll both have many, many wonderful memories to warm you. **HUGE** hugs from across the pond!
Thank you so much, CK, I really appreciate it. I've certainly needed all the hugs I can get. I was with my grandparents all the time as a child, especially during the summer when I would go stay for a week at a time. They lived just outside of town so I was free to ride my bike about two miles to the end of the road, though as I got older I sometimes rode a little farther. There was also an old cemetary across the road from their house, with graves from the 1800s. Only about twenty or so, but I would sit in the shade of the trees and talk to them, clear the leaves away, or just sit quietly and listen.
DeleteOne summer Grandpa was having the roof reshingled and Grandma was VERY clear that I was not to go on the roof. I was maybe seven. So when Grandma was at the sink washing dishes, she could keep an eye on me playing out in the front yard. However, what she did not know was that Grandpa told me to keep watch and tell him when she left the sink/window. As soon as she went downstairs to do laundry, he came down the ladder and helped me climb up. I was to sit far from the edge, and start throwing the old shingles into a pile down on the ground. This went just fine until I noticed a long red line on my hand, stretching diagonally across my palm. Grandpa scooped me up and had me down the ladder so fast - but we both knew we were in BIG trouble. Sure enough, we reach the ground and Grandma is back at the sink, looking out the window for me. We go in the house and she was very not happy. Luckily it was a very superficial cut, and I had my tetanus shot already. Grandma was very mad, but decided since I had already gotten hurt, I might as well be allowed to eat lunch up on the roof with Grandpa and then two roofing guys. We never got away with anything; though Grandpa and I tried numerous times, we could never outsmart Grandma and she always caught us. This is one of my most favorite memories.
What a *lovely* story. I'm sure that you have hundreds to replay in your mind!
DeleteAh yes, so many stories like this. Grandpa and I were forever trying to outsmart Grandma with our plans and ideas. We were never successful, lol.
DeleteSounds like a book idea................
DeleteI'm sorry Sarah. Thanks for sharing your memories.
ReplyDeleteroot beer floats yeassssss
Thank you, Greg. There's so many, but I just shared one of my most favorites on CK's comment. Grandpa and I had many grand adventures, and I am so incredibly blessed to have had him in my life.
DeleteSending love to you and your family. I know how hard it can be to lose someone so special, but I hope you can take comfort in the memories you shared and the love he had for you. Hold Nora close and keep those moments close to your heart. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can do.
ReplyDeleteYour comment nearly made me cry again, Ethan! Thank you so much for your kind words, I apreciate you so much. I shared one of my most favorite childhood memories on CK's comment up there. Grandpa and I got into a lot of mischief and Grandma ALWAYS caught us. I am so unbelievably lucky to have had the childhood I did.
DeleteMy deepest condolences to you and your family. You are so lucky to have had such a wonderful grandfather and so many memories to cherish.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I appreciate your kind words. I shared one of my most favorite memories above on CK's comment. Grandpa and I were partners in crime, but Grandma always caught us. I had a very blessed childhood.
DeleteI'm so sorry, Sarah. I lost my grandfather last year and still catch myself wanting to pick up the phone and call him to check in. I was also the first grandchild and absolutely spoiled by my grandparents. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I know this is difficult and there's nothing that can make it better.
ReplyDeleteI just realized I wasn't following you before, but it's fixed now. I hope you're doing okay and that 2026 treats you well. ❤️
DeleteI am so sorry to hear that, Lindsi. You certainly understand how I am feeling, us oldest grandkids are a special breed! Hugs to you, friend. 2026 will be good for us <3
DeleteNow you have me wondering if there's anyone I thought I was following, but I'm actually not! lol
DeleteOh Sarah, I am so sorry to read this. I had missed this post and started wondering a while ago whether you had posted something lately. But there was so much going on here that I couldn't stay on the PC long every time. Still, you are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, life is so busy - especially this time of year. Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate you.
DeleteSo true. And it didn't help that both hubby and me were sick half of the month. Still, we had a quiet Christmas with the boys, that always helped. I hope you could also have some nice days.
DeleteOh no! Eleanor had Influenza A and was sick most of break. She NEVER naps during the day, and was in bed for three days straight before she even felt like eating anything. We still had some good days, being lazy with my mom and watching movies, reading, etc. Hope you're both all better now!
DeleteYes, thanks, Sarah. We're back on track. Hubby also spent three days asleep. I am trying to get back to normal with all the chores that got put aside but I take it easy.
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