Long sad week

My grandfather passed away last Tuesday, June 10, 2008. He was diagnosed about two months ago with a brain tumor that was growing in the middle of his brain. The doctors said that there really wasn't anything that they could do that would prolong his life. His passing was very hard on all my family, even though we knew that it could be a matter of months. It's hard to prepare yourself for this kind of thing.



My grandfather was an excellent man, and an avid fisherman. He was one of those up before the sun to go fishing types. I remember the first time he took me fishing out at a small lake in Bixby, I was catching fish left and right, just having a blast! Granted they were too little to keep, it was still fun. After about two hours or so someone, don't really recall who exactly, told me that I had caught my limit for the day. To the best of my knowledge there was not a limit to how many perch one could catch, I think they all were just tired and wanted to go back home to relax. My mom still has the pictures from that day.



My grandpa loved nature. He use to take my grandma on nature walks in the park, or go out to one of the state parks to see deer and hawks and the like. He always had a big garden in the back. One of my favorite things about going to my grandparents in the summer was the fried okra fresh from the garden....yummy! I have fond memories of going up to Oklahoma on summer vacations and staying at grandma and grandpa's house. Playing with all my cousins. They always kept frozen cheese pizzas stocked for me, I was a major picky eater when I was little.



Another memory that I treasure is our nicknames. Ever since I can remember my grandpa has always called me pighog. I have no idea where this came from. My mom says it's a term from the backhills of Arkansas (where my grandpa was from). We use to buy each other stuff with pigs on them. Grandpa would always draw a little pig in my birthday cards. I'm going to miss him so much.



His last days were spent at home with my grandma and my mom who stayed with them to help take care of grandpa. The people from the hospice were all really nice and did an excellent job of helping the family through this. Grandpa really didn't have much pain in his last days, he was mostly just sore from being in bed full time. While it was really hard being there when he passed, I am thankful that I was able to say goodbye and tell him how much I loved him and would miss him. My husband was so great throughout the whole thing. He stayed by my side and tried to comfort me as best as he could. I'm not sure I could have got through it without him. I love him so much. I'm so thankful that he is in my life. I don't know what I would do without him.



The whole family was there when he passed. It was really hard on all of us. We all loved grandpa so much, and I know he loved all of us. We are taking it one day at a time right now, sometimes one hour at a time. I'm back home and at work this week. The days are a little easier because work keeps me busy. The evenings are harder. I know it will get easier as the days pass. I know he is in a better place where he feels no pain and no sorrow. I'm happy for him and sad for our loss at the same time.



One of the biggest things that came out of this, is an acknowledgement of the fact that life is short. We should make the most out of each day and never pass up an opportunity to talk to family members and tell them that you love them. Cherish every day. Be good to one another. Life is short.