Sometimes...

LittleJade

Literotica Guru
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Posts
11,030
you just have to let your fingers purge...

My grandfather passed away today. He was 95 years old, and his lungs filled up with fluid, overnight. He died just before noon... and my aunt was 15 minutes too late to be with him when it happened.

Once upon a time, the man was brilliant... he spoke 6 languages, had an IQ of 184, had a semi-photographic memory, had a brilliant mind for business and politics, and was an avid debator. He was stubborn and fiery and kind and strict and said what he thought, always. He collected stamps and coins and wonderful old books, and Delft Blue items, and antiques passed down through his family. He hated garlic, convinced it was what caused his brother's early death. He used to wag his finger in your face if you were going to eat sugary treats... he was diabetic, and was jealous, and would try to playfully guilt you out of eating it... and then give you one on a plate of your own, with a silver fork...

About five years ago... I think... he had five heart attacks in one week, caused by sugar imbalances, and a couple other things... and that was the beginning of his fading. He recovered, physically, but felt that the joy had been taken out of his life- he was no longer allowed to drink or smoke his pipe, and he had to behave in certain ways. And then his mind started to go- he had severe dementia by the end. For the last four years, he's called me by my mother's name, and has called my brother by HIS brother's name (the resemblance to my great-uncle was terrifying, when my great-uncle was young... they are like mirror images, separated by 80 years). Some days he couldn't recognize people as PEOPLE.. they were figments of his imagination...

But I'll never forget the man he was... pounding his fist on the dinnertable during Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, screaming about politics, while the other men of the family joined in, and then women buried their giggles behind cloth napkins, or in their wine glasses. I'll never forget the fire in his blue eyes when he started to talk about his hobbies, or when you played a game of chess with him. I'll never forget that beautiful smell of pipe tobacco and port that lingered in his living room and on his clothes... he was a truly beautiful person... and THAT is the person that I will miss.

I love you Opa... and you're home now. Your suffering is over.
 
Jade, I don't know you very much -- but I'd like to offer my condolences. That was a lovely tribute.

:rose:
 
Thanks, you two.

Very much.

I can't decide wether I'm tearful or numb... or just awfully quiet...
 
Thanks, you two.

Very much.

I can't decide wether I'm tearful or numb... or just awfully quiet...

I know that when my grandma died (about this time last year) I went between the three of those.
 
i am so sorry to hear of your loss, Jade. He lead a good long life, so remember him proudly.

{{{Hugs}}}:rose:
 
Dear Jade,

I offer you my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathy. I did not know your grandfather, but I know you loved him dearly and feel his loss keenly.

{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}

My prayers for you and your family in this time of grief.
 
{{{hugs}}} & :rose:

my last grandma passed 3 years ago ... she was 98. when she was hospitalized I wished to get on the first plane and go see her ... but I knew she would have been totally pissed as she would have felt that she disrupted my life ... she was sharp up to few hours before her passing ... I still miss her and wish I could have been there to say good-bye ... and thank you.

memories are such wonderful things ...

{{{hugs}}} & :rose:
 
Last edited:
Sounds like someone I'd like to have met.

He lives on in your memory.

Never gone.
 
He was a Man like most of us wanna be.

He is alive in his family memories and gens.

And now he will live forever.

Trisquel { { { { { :rose: Jade :rose: } } } } } Astur
 
My condolescences Jade...He sounded like such a great man...My prayers go out to you and your family at this time...
 
*soft smile*

Thanks, ladies and gents.

I'm home today, as I didn't sleep, and as I spent much of the night and this morning crying...

I don't know why I'm crying- he's in a better place and his suffering is over... but I just... the world is less one great man.

He and my Oma were married 63 years. 63 years. And they were happily in love until his mind started to go- they'd walk, holding hands, and make out until his dentures fell out... he'd pinch her butt and she'd kiss his forehead and they were lovely. They are the kind of couple you want to end up as, when you're in your 90's.

My Oma is such an amazing woman... always kind and gentle and ladylike- the daughter of nobility back in the Netherlands... raised very well, etc... we always said she ruled the home with an iron fist in a velvet glove... always kind, but not to be swayed, unless by him... she loved him so.

She's taking it rather well... I think that his final illness helped with that- she was unable to have a conversation with him these last four months, as he was too far gone... and she will bear it well for the family... but I know that inside her there is that sadness... mixed probably with relief that his suffering is over...

*shaking my head*

I am so fortunate in my family.
 
Whoever is giving his eulogy would do well to read from your post here.

My condolences on your loss.
 
Whoever is giving his eulogy would do well to read from your post here.

My condolences on your loss.

My dad will be giving the eulogy... he is the next male in line in the family. Or rather, the next one that is given ... the family name. My uncle has disgraced himself.


I hope this is a time of healing for all of them... having such coldness between my uncles and aunts and dad has been... painful. Even if my uncle deserved it.


My dad will speak what he feels is right... and the women will gather together and share what truly needs to be said.... it's the way of my family.
 
I am very sorry to hear of your loss Jade... I cannot say more than the other have said but to offer comforting words of advice.... Minx passed this on to me when my mom passed Ill pay it forward to you ...

Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other

That we are still

Call me by my old familiar name

Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed

At the little jokes we always enjoyed together

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was

Let it be spoken without effort

Without the ghost of a shadow in it

Life means all that it ever meant

It is the same as it ever was

There is absolute unbroken continuity

What is death but a negligible accident?

Why should I be out of mind

Because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you for an interval

Somewhere very near

Just around the corner

All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost

One brief moment and all will be as it was before

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

Hopefully it will help you and your family...
:kiss:
 
SKL- she wanted to thank you.

She's sitting beside me, crying- we read it together.

Youre most welcome I read this as my moms eulogy cause I had something else planned but as my foot hit the steps I blanked out and all I had was this.. I hope this helps you and yours.. SMILE.. Jade you know I am here for you .. and thanks to you Cdn MOses for your thoughts on what I am going thru as well.. ;) it is appreciated ..
 
Youre most welcome I read this as my moms eulogy cause I had something else planned but as my foot hit the steps I blanked out and all I had was this.. I hope this helps you and yours.. SMILE.. Jade you know I am here for you .. and thanks to you Cdn MOses for your thoughts on what I am going thru as well.. ;) it is appreciated ..


I'll email the poem thingy on to her dad, so she doesn't have to.

You're welcome.
 
Back
Top