Another Angel in Heaven

Yesterday we buried my granddaddy.

He was the greatest grand father ever. He was so laid back and easy going with his grand kids. I think all of my cousins and I have memories of sitting with granddaddy in his recliner and taking sips of his beer. He was also the one we would go to when we wanted to get in the swimming pool at his house but none of our moms wanted to go outside and watch us. He would come out to sit on the patio to watch us swim (I am pretty sure he fell asleep most of the time) as long as we wanted him to. He used to take my brother "fishing" in the swimming the pool and he would take us on trips in his RV. I remember going to Gardner State Park one year in the RV and my granddaddy and I went on an errand in the car and he let me stand up and stick my head out of the sunroof (totally unsafe and my mom would have been mortified) while he blasted a tape of Alvin and the Chipmunks singing Christmas carols and we sang along. I have no idea why my grandparents had that tape in their car or why we decided to play Christmas songs in the middle of the summer, but I loved it and I love that I have that memory.

The past few months had been a struggle. He got sick right after Christmas and had been in and out of the hospital frequently since then. We knew the doctors could not do anything else for him and that the end was coming but I don't think you are ever really prepared for someone you love to pass away. My grandma and aunts did an amazing job taking care of him.

As sad as I was to see him go, it made me feel so much better to know that my mom was already in Heaven waiting for him. I prayed all time for him to have no pain or fear when the time came and I just know my mom was waiting right there to hold his hand and take away his fear as he walked into Heaven. It also makes me smile to think that she has her daddy there with her now even though we are missing him down here.

My Granddaddy

This is my granddaddy.
I know I shouldn't have favorites, but I do, it’s him. Growing up he used let us sit on his lap in the recliner and he would give us sips of his beer, take us camping in his RV, take us “fishing” in the swimming pool, and when none of our moms would come outside to watch us swim (an adult always had to be watching us) he would come outside and watch us for as long as we wanted to swim. He is always happy to see us when we walk into the door and is so proud of his grand kids (especially his Aggie grand kids).

This past weekend I was super proud of him. I flew to my grandparent’s home town because the high school gym was being named after my grandpa!!! How amazing is that?!?!?! My grandpa spent his whole career as an educator in Kingsville, Texas. He started off as a teacher and coach, then became an assistant principal, principal and at the end of his career the personnel director.

Unfortunately, my grandpa fell down at his house a few hours before his big ceremony and broke his hip so he couldn't make it. After we found out the diagnosis and got him settled in at the hospital for the night, my grandma and brother stayed with him and the rest of the family went to the ceremony.

I was so devastated that my grandpa couldn't be at the ceremony to see all the people that were there to support him. Instead, my mom and my aunts stood there in his place. It was definitely a bitter sweet night for us. We were all so happy and proud but we were missing the guest of honor. He would have loved seeing the old coaches he used to work with, his old players and friends and family from near and far.


This was definitely not how I expected my weekend to turn out, but I am so glad I was there to celebrate this awesome occasion.