Many of you who are on my FB know that Derek's Grandfather is in ICU and it is really not looking good. He is 83 and has heart failure and every day his heart is getting weaker. Its been a rough few days as we try to navigate hospital trips, who is watching the boys, and trying to get all the family up to date. We have not been super close to his grandfather but that is a very long story but we love this man.
�
I am finding it even harder to watch this man struggle so much. This amazing man stepped up on the hardest day of my life. I had just said goodbye to my daughter and was told we would need to make arrangements. I found my self in the most difficult time of my life trying to figure out how to make arrangement for your own child when her life never really started. Derek's grandfather worked for the big funeral home in town and EVERYTHING was taken care of. From the transportation for her from the hospital I was at to our town and hour away. They took care of the cost of the cremation, the service, the urn, music, newspaper ads, the funeral home even sent a beautiful thing of flowers to her service. He stood at the door and greeted everyone as they came in and talking to anyone who would talk back to him. He would grab my hand, kiss my cheek, and wink at me. Anything I wanted or needed he had them take care of it for me.
SO how do you give back to a man who has done so much for you when there really isn't anything I can do to fix this. I watch as his frail body is struggling to hold on and his words no longer beginning to make sense. He is in a lot of pain. But when I walked in yesterday he gave me his wink. I would hold his hand and explain they were trying to get him pain meds. My heart is broken as we know what is coming but not when. My MIL will most likely have to make some tough decisions come Monday. My heart hurts as I watch her again sitting in ICU watching someone she loves slowly slip away. I do not know how she does it. She is stronger than anyone ever could imagine. After what she went through with my FIL and how her dad, there is no doubt she is one of the strongest women I know.
If you are the praying type please say a prayer for our family. For peace, acceptance, and strength to get through today and the days ahead. I know my sweet girl will be there when the time comes to greet her great grandpa who took such good care of her when we needed. I hope when the time comes she is holding his hand and that he knows how much he is loved!
thinking good thoughts for you and Derek's grandfather. We just went through a similar slow process with Dan's dad, who passed away on Feb. 18. The most and best you can do is be there and let him know just how much you love him.
love, erin
What a sweet man! Love the wink. Holding his hand and visiting when you can means a lot. Surely he knows you love him. I know my grandmother worried that her great grandsons wouldn't remember her. I assured her they would. I will be thinking of your family.
Hugs,
Lindsay
I'm sorry Samantha. I'm thinking of you and sending a lot of love.
Rebecca
I am so sorry to hear this. I know how hard it is to have a family very sick in the hospital and having to navigate all the "normal" life stuff like getting the kid to school etc. That's very kind how everything was taken care of for you for the arrangements for your daughter by him. It's people like that who prove there are still some really decent caring people in this world. We had a neighbor step up who was affilated with the funeral home and call the funeral home to take care of us. It's nice to know it's one less thing to have on your plate to worry about when everything is happening with your child. My mom swears to this day that her grandson wass with her every step of her surgery. So I know your daughter will and has been there for her grandfather. Many hugs to you times like this can be so hard and you just wish you could keep all those you love with you longer after having the type of loss we have had. Many hugs. Nicki
So sorry for the loss in your family. Thinking of you during this tough time.