by carrie
the past month is a month i’d prefer not to repeat. i mean, i’d prefer not to have to go through all we’ve gone through again. if i had to do it over, the only thing i’d do different is that last run on the blue hill that landed me in the ski patrol’s sled and then ER and then at the orthopedist and then in surgery and now on the couch with my leg all purple.
but then, if i didn’t have surgery, then my mom wouldn’t have been with me last week when we got the call that my dad’s dad was calling the kids home to see him alive. he knew he was close last thursday morning, and at 5:30 he woke dad up (who was sleeping on the hide-a-bed) and told him to call his siblings and mom. if she hadn’t been with me, i’d've waited until dan got home from work before heading north, and i would’ve missed talking with him before he was incoherent. and i would’ve been beside myself.
as it was though, because mom was with us, henry and i went north with mom last thursday morning. we got to grandpa’s house at noon and sat with him a while. his face just lit up when he saw his great grandson, and i got to tell him i love him and at that moment when i tried to reach for my son, my grandpa wouldn’t let go of my hand! he had such a firm grip on me and wouldn’t let me go. so my cousin tended to him and i sat longer with grandpa. he asked about dan, he asked about my knee, he watched henry playing. he knew what was coming and he exhibited no fear, just maybe a hint of sadness over missing out on our lives.
by mid-afternoon (on thursday) when henry danger and i got back from his nap at oma and baba’s house, he (grandpa) wanted just to rest. so the house was quiet and we took turns holding his hand but he wasn’t talking anymore. by the time dan got there, he didn’t open his eyes to see who was with him.
he held on almost another 24 hours. there were moments of struggle, but then he would cough and then breathe easier for a while. the very end wasn’t a struggle, at least not for him. all five of his kids were with him, as well as Kathryn, his wife of 8 1/2 years, my mom, another uncle, dan, myself, and henry danger. descendants to the 4th generation.
and henry, at just 14 1/2 months, knew we were all sad and he handed out kleenex as some of us sang “Just as I am”, one of grandpa’s favorite hymns.
Love the picture! Glad to hear you and Dan are doing a bit better. And, the kitchen looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see it this summer! (Can I invite myself over??)
Love,
Wendy
Thanks for sharing that, Carrie. What a sweet time with Grampa Henry; and little Henry handing out kleenex – that is precious.
Hugs!
Miss you!