Summer Time Vacation

So after attending Grandpa's funeral on Friday and spending the day with family, we headed up to Grandpa's cabin in Minnesota on Saturday.  We thought of canceling our plans, but Grandpa would not have wanted that.  So we started our vacation a couple of days later than planned and are now enjoying this peaceful place up on the lake listening to the loons and trying to catch some fish.  (Some days are better than others.)   Grandpa and Grandma have taken really good care of this place.  It is nicer now than when I was a child.  One of the best parts is that it is just five feet off the water!  My husband's folks joined us up here as well.  They are impressed by everything and are enjoying watching all of the different types of birds that are here.  Especially the loons and the orioles.  They even bought a bird feeder (a knitted bag style) to hopefully attract some goldfinches too.  (and they have!)  So anyway, this is where I am, so I'm not doing any crafting (although I do have some beads if I really get bored!).  I hope you all are enjoying your summer and are being creative, (even if it's only choosing something new to make for dinner).  Bye for now!

Grandpa-You will Be Missed

On Sunday morning at 3:40a.m. surrounded by his wife and kids, my grandpa went to be with Jesus in heaven.  I last saw him on Friday and was able to be at peace with his soon to be, passing.  It was so hard to see him sick like he was, cause this is a man who never got sick.  He just went down hill so fast.  I arrived in town late Monday (Memorial Day), saw him Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and by early Sunday morning he was gone.  It's kind of hard to believe he is gone.  It's so easy to take for granted that loved ones will always be there with us and then in a flash, they are no longer with us.  This is my first such experience.  Tonight we went out to dinner with my Mom, Dad, Grandma, Sister, Niece,  Nephew, Hubby and me, and I honestly thought for a split second that grandpa would be there too.  He was such a great grandpa.  A wise man and helpful to everyone,  always giving out advice.  He liked to start out by saying things like, "Let me give you a little pep talk", and "I'm going to pick on you a little bit", "You know I'm teasing now, don't you?"(wink, wink).

He is survived by 4 kids and their spouses, 11 grand kids, 11 great grand kids, plus one on the way. 

So thank you Grandpa for being just the right grandpa I needed growing up, you'll be greatly missed and I can't wait to see you again. 

With Love,

From your first Grand Daughter,

Amanda.

Here is  card I made for my grandpa on June 2nd and gave to him on June 4th.  He passed on June 6th.

My Grandpa

I just want to let you know why I'm absent right now.  First I'm not at home or have my computer with me.  I am staying with my sister.  I'm not sure how to work her computer very well, so please excuse this short post.  My grandfather has been sick since late December.  In March they discovered he had cancer.  Even though he did try cancer treatments, he has just gotten worse and worse.  Last week we found out it spread to his bones.  He was given 6-8 weeks to live.  I came as soon as I could, about 5 days after hearing the news.  I've been here with my family since Memorial Day.  He is going so quickly, I believe he'll be gone in a few days and probably next week will be his funeral.  I'm so glad to have gotten a chance to say goodbye.  If I had waited even one more week, I would have missed my opportunity.  Also this grandpa is the only grandpa I've ever really known, as my other one made choices that keeps him away from us, and does not know us, and visits us maybe once a year.  Now for some good news.  My grandfather has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and he will see him soon!  So yea, I get to see my grandfather again someday!!!  Also, since I am staying with my sister who's husband is away serving our country and my husband had to stay home to work, we have gotten to bond through this experience and support each other.  Just today we said our goodbyes and feel at peace.  He knows we love him and we will miss him.  Even though he was pretty out of it, he still was able to say  I love you to us over and over and over as we left the room.  We have never been a huggy family, but this week, we have been doing a lot of it.  I also have time to play with my niece and nephew (8 & 12).  My sister lives about 30 minutes away which allows us some escape from the sadness going on,  or "anticipated grief" as the hospice workers told us what this is that we are feeling.  So I'll end this now before I cry all over my sister's pink laptop.  For any of you prayer warrior,s feel free to pray for us.  My grandparents are wonderful people and all 4 of their children,(and spouses), have taken the task to care for them as grandpa moves on, they are wonderfu peoplel!  I hope I can be that good of a care taker to my own parents if need be. They were all raised well! Thank you for "listening" and everything! Bye!