Back from laying grandpa to rest

It's tough to even know what to write. We are home safely- and the dogs are home from boarding, the happiest we've ever seen Banana after we picked her up. We think it's because she went there with her brother this time :) Good thing our kids love each other so much :)

The week was very good. Emotionally-draining, but good. Our whole family was there with each other to celebrate and remember grandpa. His wife, his 6 kids, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren. We played lots of cards (one of his favorite hobbies) and drank manhattans (his favorite drink) and sang "You are my Sunshine" (his favorite song). We all cried (it was interesting and somewhat surprising the different times it hit some of us), and we all laughed. Mr. A and two other pall bearers wore argyle socks (his favorite socks- but he used to wear them pulled to his knees with plaid shorts!). We reminded each other of how proud he was of each of us, and how much he loved each of us. We were amazed at how many people came to the visiting hours to support us- it is such a testament to how many people my grandpa influenced in his life.

One of the hardest parts for me was watching my grandma. Sure, she has early Alzhe.imer's, but she sure as anything knows that she just lost her husband and best friend of 57 years. Whenever I would glance over and see her standing by his casket (open for the visitation), crying and holding onto his hand, I just about lost it. I mean, even though he was sick, she could hold his hand one day and then, not the next. I think maybe for her it will be even harder to grieve because I don't think she understood how sick he was before he passed away, so although the rest of us have been sort of "preparing", I think she is more blindsided in some ways. We were sitting on their back porch swing the day before the funeral and I remarked what a beautiful day it was. She teared up and said, "yes, but he isn't here to enjoy it."

What could I even say? I can't even imagine how lost I would feel without Mr. A, after 5 years of marriage, not even after their 57!

I told her that I believe that he can see the beautiful day- that all his days are beautiful now- and that he asked God to make this day beautiful for her to enjoy it. She just held tight to my hand.

The funeral was beautiful, too. We were all crying by the end, even though we all know that Grandpa wouldn't want us to be sad. He has a very peaceful place to rest- shade tree and all. I'm sure God already has him busy doing fix-it jobs in heaven- painting the pearly gates or something- just like he loved those types of things when he was here.

He will surely be missed, but I know he will be cheering us on from his recliner in heaven. With his bowl of peanuts. As he sports some argyle socks. And after he has talked to God about sending one of them baby things to us...