A Heart of Gold.

My grandpa passed away yesterday.

He had been fighting pneumonia since Sunday, and fighting dementia for many years.

I feel like we lost him a long time ago.

But this is it, time to google “logistical things to do when someone dies” and say our final goodbyes.

My very first memory involves my grandpa – my sister was born when I was 21 months old, and she spent a week at Dayton Children’s Hospital in the NICU. There was a slide there, red and white if I recall, and I remember my grandpa catching me at the bottom.

He’s in just about all of my memories after that.

Sitting in the stands at my basketball games, popping out of the crowd to snap a picture as we marched by with the band, making sure to rinse the freezer burn off my Pudding Pop before slathering it with peanut butter.

When I was very young – probably 7 or 8 – my grandma and I were talking about Grandpa, and what she told me has stuck with me all these years.

“He has a heart of gold, and he’d do anything in the world for you girls.”

She was right on both accounts.

Goodbye, Grandpa. We’ll miss you.

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14 Replies to “A Heart of Gold.”

  1. Em- so sorry that you’ve lost your grandpa. Judging from your memories you and your sister meant the world to him- just like your grandma said. It will be so helpful to think back on those as you get used to not having him around physically. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  2. Emily, I am so sorry for your loss. I felt like I lost both of my grandmothers prior to their death, one from Alzheimer’s and the other to several strokes. In both cases I felt I was prepared for the loss of their physical presence. But I wasn’t. It is still so hard when they actually leave us. I hope you find comfort in your family and friends during this difficult time.

  3. Gene was a great guy. He and I were not very much alike, but we still had a fine relationship. He was very kind and helpful to me. He did love you girls with all his heart, and he loved your mother in the very same way.

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