My Grandpa August 18, 2004 - 1:11 p.m.

I got online like any other day, and decided to check my email. There was one from my dad with the subject 'Grandpa'.

My heart sank.

My grandpa just recently got a computer, and my dad was going to go over there and teach him how to use email and all that. We just talked about this a couple of weeks ago, so I've been expecting an email from him. So this message could have easily been about his computer training or new email address or whatever.

I knew it wasn't.

And I was right.

He died, Monday evening.

"He just collapsed outside his apartment building. At least it was quick, we all want to go that way. He was a very good man and I loved him very much."

The memorial service is Friday. My mom and I are driving down in the morning. My brother may miss the ultrasound of his first child so that he can attend the memorial service of a man that was technically only a step-grandfather. There are no blood ties with him. Just the appreciation of a truly caring, wonderful person.

I worry about my dad. It has been just over 10 years ago that he lost his mom, now his own father is gone too. It must be a horrible feeling to not have either parent around anymore. Out of four boys, he was the closest to his parents. Both literally and emotionally. I can only imagine how hard this is for him.

~ He was very hard of hearing, but would just nod his head when you were talking to him, and pretend to understand - adding 'Yep' and 'Mhmm, mhmm.'

~ He never chewed his steak enough, which created a lot of scary moments.

~ He loved to tell people about when I was younger and they had this particulary cool basket that they would keep suckers in, and I would just sit at the edge of the table staring at this basket, then look to Grandma, then Grandpa, then back to the basket... until I got a sucker.

~ He had old tapes of his own father giving sermons. He was a preacher. And he loved listening to those tapes. He kept them in the car. I never knew if it was what was being said, or just the sound of his father's voice that he enjoyed.

~ I got my reaction to needles from him. He and his sisters would pass out when they got shots - just like I do.

~ He loved to play golf. He even had his own golf cart for awhile, that I got to drive around once.

~ One of the saddest things I've ever seen, was seeing him break down after my Grandma died.

~ Just like my dad, he was really big into family history and closeness.

~ Every year, he remembered to send us a Christmas and Birthday card.

It's weird, how it's these small moments or ideas that you remember about a person.

My Grandfather 86, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed away on August 16, 2004. A World War II Army veteran, he had lived in the local area for 20 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. He is survived by his sons, Richard, John, Thomas and Jeffery; sisters, Jane and Margaret; 10 Grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2004. Flowers will be gladly accepted, but for those who wish, donations, in lieu, may be made to The American Cancer Society.

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