In the middle of all the commotion in getting myself to my sister’s wedding in Maine, my grandfather passed away. Our family had been keeping us apprised of the situation as it unfolded and I was hopeful that I’d be able to make it to Maine and then back home in time for his funeral. I received the call the morning I woke up in that Portsmouth hotel that he had died in his sleep overnight. I learned later that day that the visitation would be on Sunday and the funeral Monday morning. I wouldn’t make it to either.
My Grandpa was 97 years old. He’d lived most of his entire life in Rock Island, IL. Married his sweetheart Betty McGonigle and loved her for close to 75 years. My Grandma survives him and I headed up to be with her a few days after returning home. I wish I could have been there to say goodbye to him with the rest of my family, but I am grateful to have gotten to spend some time with my Grandma – just us.
Life is just happening – all the time. It is beginning and ending and changing in every moment. It can be a real challenge to just be present to the moment. I am grateful that I got 41 years with a gem of a grandpa.
::My Grandparents
::Me and Grandpa
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Last year, one of my goals was to learn a bit more about my grandparents. I wrote about it here:
