I’ve been M.I.A for a lil bit and I promise it’s not because I was too busy. I don’t want this post to be sad, but last week, my Grandpa Fred lost his battle to cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer about 6 months ago. And how fast the time has flown by. Last week has been a whirlwind of emotions for myself and my family that left me drained and exhausted. On the bright side, my grandpa is no longer in pain. He passed peacefully and with a smile onto heaven.
He was such a kind and gentle soul, never showed anger or yelled or shouted. He had an abundance of patience that was very contagious. He is the very man that the women in our family looked up to and hoped our partners could live up to. He always called me “Miss Marie” even when I became an adult.
When I went to visit him in Texas as a child, my young, entrepreneurial mind at 10 years old was determined to sell Dr. Pepper, chips and handcrafted bracelets made of yarn. So, my grandfather helped me to build my own wooden stand and set it up at the end of the driveway. We painted it white and I sat there in the hot texas sun I think for maybe a week, only selling a few things. I will never forget that memory. He used to take me down the street to get snowcones in the evening, he took me to see Lion King when it was in theaters the first time, and when I first joined the army, he jokingly said I was out of the “Will” (a family joke since my Entire Family is NAVY)
My grandmother and him surprised me by visiting me in AIT school in Fort Huachuca, AZ when I was 18. He even came to the airport to see me during a flight layover. I was the first grandchild, and my children are the only great grandchildren. I am happy that they were able to spend time with him. Matthias and him sat in my mom’s backyard reading a book together. Grandpa had such a way with children, in helping them to understand problems and helping them solve it.
He was the strong and silent type who may have not always been there all the time since we used to live far apart, but when times were hard and I needed family present, him and grandmother were there standing tall and proud. For that, for his love will forever live in my heart and soul.
The ceremony was held this past Saturday at Fort Story, VA where most of the family was present. Most of us got up and said a few words, remembering what an amazing role model he has been for us all. Family is so important to me. I am so thankful that I was able to be present for this, because when my grandmother passed almost 3 years ago, I was not able to attend.
The picture above is my father and my mother, which I do not have a lot of pictures of, and I want to cherish it.
My father and my husband, Jermie in front of his mustang.
I couldn’t help but take a few pictures of some of the flowers. I am thinking of getting some roses tattooed in honor of my family who has passed on.
