Grandpa

I randomly came across this photo on my phone this morning. It’s the last photo I have of my grandpa. He went into hospice two weeks ago. His heart was continuing to weaken and his oxygen levels were too low to be managed by the equipment nurses could bring to the farm. The lack of blood and oxygen were making him confused and unable to speak. He did better in hospice, but as we all know, you don’t enter hospice to get better. He passed away Wednesday morning.

I have no problem saying that I was blessed and spoiled by amazing grandparents, especially my mom’s parents. Where my brothers and I often experienced bullying, rejection or teasing in our day-to-day lives, my grandparents made us feel loved and important effortlessly. They were so proud of us, and loved us no matter what was going on in our lives. My grandfather was especially proud when we bought our house because the great American dream he worked so hard to achieve could move forward.

I’ll miss him terribly, but am comforted to see him in the faces of my family and people I’ve surrounded myself with. It’s funny how you gravitate to people who remind you of the people you love the most. He requested his favorite big band music be played for his visitation and funeral, so I thought I’d do the same for him here.

Ein Prosit!
Möge dir dein Weg leicht werden
Möge dir der Wind immer von hinten kommen
Möge dir die Sonne warm ins Gesicht scheinen
Möge dir ein sanfter Regen auf die Felder fallen
und bis wir uns wiedersehen
möge Gott dich in seiner Hand halten.