Apr 292009
My last living grandparent, Gran’papa, died today.
He was my maternal grandfather. I think he was 95 years old; he might have been 94. I remember celebrating his 90th birthday, but I don’t seem to have a grip on exactly when that was.
My thoughts are so scattered that I’m not sure this post will make a lot of sense. But in no particular order:
- The story of how he and my Gran’mama met was very funny. She had dinner plans with one of his co-workers, a family friend, who apparently forgot about the date and left work early. When she showed, up, Gran’papa called the guy, and said, “Introduce us!” Then he insisted on taking her to dinner. Gran’mama had been working like crazy and her boss ordered to take the afternoon off from her job and relax, so she’d been horseback riding before going to dinner. She was so hungry that she ordered the largest steak on the menu and ate it with such gusto that he immediately decided this was the woman he was going to marry. (That she was a Texas redhead and was Vogue model pretty probably didn’t hurt.)
- He was so tall.
- My parents had a complicated relationship with my maternal grandparents. But when I was a kid, they all did a great job of making sure that they kept any tension from us, so that I could just love both my grandparents and my parents.
- I spent my 21st birthday with my grandparents, at Disney World. Really. Except for the part where the only vegetarian food available in the Magic Kingdom at that time was a cheese plate in the futuristic section, it was great.
- I’m glad he got to meet Noah a couple of years ago, and Josie. Even if he didn’t understand who was there, or maybe even know that anyone was there.
- I’m glad Josie and I came down here, and that we did all this crazy shit to get down here yesterday instead of today.
- I have to go to sleep.
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I’m sorry for your loss. Keeping you & your family in my thoughts.
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you were able to be there. Many hugs and lots of love for you and your family.
I am sorry for your gran’papa’s passing, but happy for you that you were able to be there. Sounds like you have some great memories. Hugs.
Best wishes from California at this sad time.
Oh Liza,
How beautiful that you got there; you can always tell Josie that they were in the same room together and she has a link with him forever.
I’m glad for you, too, that you were there.
I’ll be thinking about you and send my most love.
C
I am sorry about your Gran’papa’s passing. My Granddaddy (mothers side) is 94 and very sick. I am afraid this is the end of the rode for him too. It makes me sad for you and me.
-StacyG
I am so sorry for your loss, Liza. I’m glad you and Josie were able to be there.
One of the things loved about Grandpa was how whenever we would go visit them in Kansas Grandpa would always have those piggy banks and that fuzzy squirrel bank filled up and let us count the money and use it for what ever we wanted. (I got a hand held Pacman game at Sears one time… like 1982?)
And I loved how he always complimented Grandma on what ever she had done. How nice she had set a table, or what a good lunch she had made. He was such a gentleman. And he loved her so much.
He had the most fantastic collection of Southwestern belt buckles and bolo ties! I think of him when ever I see someone wearing those.
I miss him. But I’ve missed him for such a long time.
My condolences, Liza. I lost my grandmother and a great aunt this past year. It’s never easy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
My love to you all.
I am so sorry, Liza.