Seeing my Granddaddy....

First - my granddad isn't gone. But, with his degrading health, it's just going to be a matter of time (the picture I have is heartbreaking....) So, I went up to Chilhowie to tell him "Goodbye"....and that I love him.

When I went into his room, he looked at me and I asked him if he knew who I was...and he nodded. I took his hand and he held mine with the strength he's always had. He can't speak very well and it's hard to figure out what he's saying, but I did manage to hear "I love you" spoken by him.

I excused myself (hadta go pee....too much water!) and when I got back, a nurse was feeding him. He ate a spoonful or two of oatmeal and spoonfuls of orange juice. He then said he was tired and drifted off.....

I sat with him.....wondering where he was. Why wasn't he as vibrant as the last time I saw him? And then I remembered that he's over 98 years old. And he's lead a full life....a life that's full of the love that his family has for him. ...................................... I stayed for a good while.....watching him breathe.....listening to him mumble.....wanting to know WHAT he was trying to say. He woke up. And his eyes were WIDE open!! I was sitting next to him at his bed and he looked at me and said - PLAINLY - "I love you boys". I told him that we all love him, too...kissed his bald head....and watched him drift off to sleep. I am TOTALLY at peace with what I did today. I KNOW that my granddaddy loves me, and he knows that I love him! Of course, I have emotions of sadness, but also of joy! My "Greegree" will be happier in a place that none of us on this planet will ever understand. I wish for him a safe journey.....and I will see him YEARS down the road! And we'll have a cookout!!