Halloween w/ Pop

Too cute for words...here are the pics to go along w/ the blog about visiting Pop in the rehab facility, I'm sure you will remember all the chocolate:)

Peace

The service for Pop was today and I have to say there is a lot more peace in my life now. It has been a rather empty month for me with no one to fret over, now that I have had my chance to say goodbye I finally have a quiet within me that is pleasant. It has been a long couple of months and I am so blessed to have had all the moments of joy that came from all the struggle. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails.

Pop

Pop died today. He had a stroke earlier this week and was finally able to join Muzzy. He will be missed greatly. Although the road was not always gentle and some days it hurt like hell. We can with peace now let him go to be with those he loved and missed so greatly. A man I am still getting to know more deeply even in his absence. Here are the moments I most enjoy remembering...a great grandfather loving his boys...


Pop giving RJ a candy.

Pop and Jack at his baptism. Pop was his sponsor.

The quiet march towards the end...

There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief. ~Aeschlus

I am grateful for the moments I was given. Honored that I was there. Comforted now by their steady presence. May his passing be peaceful and tender. All my love and hugs Pop.

My Glengarry

Here is the link to the wonderful book that mum (Nancy) made for Pop. My Glengarry is written by Dr. F. James Marshall. It is a chronicle of he and his cap through WWII. All our love this holiday season. May you enjoy a peaceful new year.

Growing Family

Hey everyone...I will hopefully be more diligent about posting as some of y'all will be using this as a life line for the family.

My grandfather, Pop, will be moving in w/ us this week. He has been struggling w/ a knee replacement and has been in the hospital for the second time w/ it. After very little consideration Phillip and I invited him into our home. Really we wouldn't have it any other way. It amazes me that it takes the two of us 6mo to a year to buy a car but the bigger things in life are a no brainer and really don't require much discussion.

The goal is to see how much improvement can be made in the next two months. We are however in the process of evaluating him for other causes for his complications. The joys of medicine are that it really is a game of elimination and as our buddy Dave says, "...it's called a practice for a reason, they are just practicing medicine on you..."; we'll see!

So for all our great support systems out there...thank you! Because of how much everyone has done for us this year we are now in a place where we can do something like this. I remind everyone that says this is "noble" work or that we are really going to be overwhelmed, we have it easy. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are the ones who are the hero's out there for care. I am in a constant state of awe over what they accomplish w/ only each other to rely upon. We are getting up to 12 hours of home care a day to help me with what he needs...all the fun stuff like getting him showered and dressed and ready for the day. It will free me up to take care of the things that are more enjoyable like appointments, meals and just hanging out w/ him and the kiddos.

Boys are looking forward to it. RJ said this morning, "I like it when you take care of me when I'm not feeling well, he will like it too!" Jack is just going to love having an extra lap for reading books!

All our love and prayers. We will be forgetful in the upcoming months but please just poke me from time to time as I want to avoid becoming myopic...