not terribly long in the grand scheme of things. To me the amount of years that I have been married...today.
58 years...quite a long time to most...especially as a length of a marriage.
Why am I reflecting on years? My grandpa passed away Sunday night. He and my grandma spent 58 years together...not including the years they knew each other before. They have memories dating back to elementary.
I got a phone call late Sunday night from my sister. As soon as I heard the phone ring...I knew. I picked it up and after a short conversation I hung up the phone. I whispered to Christian, "My Grandpa died." He sleepily told me he was sorry then fell back asleep.
I laid awake...picturing Christian and I in 50+ years...who would be the one to be left behind? I certainly hope not me. But as we never know quite how life is going to play out...who knows.
In the dark I stared off at the ceiling...picturing my sweet grandma no longer having my fun-loving grandpa at her side.
Though his passing was a relief to his poor broken body, it still tugs at my heart. As my mother-in-law said once about her own mother passing, who was very sick for many years, that a person can't prepare for a loved one passing even if it is long coming.
Since January I have waited for the phone call. It almost seemed as though it might never come...but alas it did. Grandpa is gone. It seems so surreal...especially being far away and unable to attend the funeral.
Random memories keep popping out of nowhere today...chocolate, chunk, chocolate ice cream...the flavor my grandpa knew I liked and had stocked in his freezer on several occasions anticipating my arrival. Bryce's last visit with my Grandpa...curled up asleep in his arms. Rodeos...my grandpa loved them. Horses...he owned some when I was very little and I loved to see them. "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys playing on my grandparents record player (yes I know what a record player is)...I called it the "bomb bomb song," and was so amazed that my grandpa's deep voice could hit those bass notes.
So many memories...to me a lifetime of them...
Our last time seeing my grandpa in January...
