I haven't had much to say lately, have I? I'm a bit of an introvert, especially when there are big life issues going on. My Grandpa has been sick for over a year and has really gone downhill in the last month or so. My mom called yesterday afternoon to tell me that he had passed away. He was surrounded by family. We will all miss him, but it is comforting to know that he is not suffering any longer. I've tried to let my thoughts wander to the good memories that I have of him since I got that call. I lived in his house from age six, when my parents divorced, until age twenty. He's the closest thing to a father that I've ever known. Here's a few of the things that have been mulling around in my head...
He always planted an enormous garden and shared it with the entire neighborhood.
He loved jam - being one of the youngest in his large family, he claimed that he had never got as much jam as he wanted as a child. So, as an adult, he always slathered it on. If I wanted a really good piece of bread and jam, I would ask my Grandpa to make it for me.
He could talk with anyone. Sometimes I would get annoyed waiting around for him to finish up a conversation, but as a still introverted and somewhat shy adult, I sometimes wish I'd picked up on his skills a bit more. I think he passed them all straight to my little brother.
He loved pancakes which meant that was what we often had on Saturday mornings. I use the same recipe my Grandma used (the one from my Grandpa's mother) to make pancakes for my boys.
Most of all, I am thankful that I never once heard him complain that his grandchildren moved into his house just as he was looking forward to retirement. I will always be grateful that I grew up in the stability of his home.
