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That was not a "Dear Diary" post, it was a fitting tribute to a man who sounds like he earned it. OUTSTANDING.My mom's dad has been the primary male influence in my life since I was 9. He was there when my dad walked out on my mom and me. He taught me what it means to be a man, a father, a husband, and so much more. I live every day trying to be half the man he was. He worked for Brown and Root or 50 years, before they forced him to retire. He started delivering blueprint all over Houston on his bike at the age of 14 and dropped out of school int he 9th grade to help his mom support him and his 12 brothers and sisters (even though he was the youngest). He taught me about cars, electrical work, home maintenance, small engine repair, being resourceful, not being wasteful, how to make pancakes, how to fry an egg, and that sometimes a glass of water is actually vodka (that was not a good day).
I will forever be grateful for what my grandfather has done for me. He stepped up when my father decided he had better things to do and by no means did he have to do that. He has gone so far and above any responsibility he has ever had towards me. He has meant so much to my life that I actually changed my last name to his while in law school so that the name he has worked so hard to build will not be laid to rest with him.
Today he is not in great health and suffering from Alzheimer's. It is hard to watch such a proud man go down such an undignified path. I would give anything to have one more day with that man when he wasn't angry because of his fear and dull because of his disease. Some days I wish he would die not because I wouldn't miss him dearly but because I know he would finally have peace and be reunited with his son.
This seems to have turned into a "dear diary" entry and for that I am sorry and because of that I will stop here. Good off-season thread OP. I am sure many others like myself have wonderful grandfathers that mean/meant the world to them.
Very special. My experience has been similar in that men find it difficult to speak about the acts of war to which they were subjected and in which, of necessity, they participated. It was much more 'personal' back then. I can only imagine.
That's about the best way to die I can think of. He was lucky.Sad. I hope you don't suffer from dementia. My paternal grandmother died in her sleep. My Dad died instantly in front of his fireplace of a brain aneurysm, after hauling a load of firewood (in a wheelbarrow) up the steep hill behind the house on his East Texas farm. I hope to take after them - either one - when it comes time to 'shuffle off this mortal coil'.
+1Bump (cause I LOVE all these stories!).
They point to a simpler time!
My mom's Dad died when I was 6 years old so I don't have many memories. My Dad's dad was an alcoholic POS. So, a man across the street when we moved into a new house took my training wheels off. He then morphed into essentially my grandfather and his wife my grandmother. They were at every major event in my life from elementary graduation to my wedding. He died 2 months after my Dad. I lost the 2 most significant men in my life within 2 months of each other, both unexpected. But, they taught me how to be man, husband, dad and man of faith. Good job Papa John (and Dad)!