Another Loss

I am sad to announce that today, around 6pm, my grandfather passed away. I wanted to take the time to remember him and let all of my bloggy friends know what a wonderful man he was.

My grandma and grandpa have been married for 66 years. 66 years! They love each other as much now, if not more than they did 66 years ago. My grandfather was talking to my aunt on Sunday and asked, "Where is Grandma? Grandma should be with Grandpa," This brings tears to my eyes, because after all this time, all he wanted was to be near the person he loved more than anything in this world. I honestly don't know if she was able to be there when he took his last breath, due to her own health issues, but I am sure she was there in spirit.

This love produced 13 children and over 60 grandchildren (honestly, I lost count years ago). Through their example, they have a family full of accomplished, beautiful people (both inside and out). They have been blessed many times over with smart, spiritual children and grandchildren who try to follow in their footsteps of a Christ-like life.
I had the opportunity to live with my grandparents for a summer when I took a job at the local yacht club, and I was fortunate to get this special, one on one time with them. As you can imagine, having so many grandchildren, they were not able to spend a huge amount of time with each individually, and I truly feel sorry for my cousins who have never gotten the chance to live with them and experience their love on a day to day basis.

Each evening I would come home from work to find grandma and grandpa sitting in their side-by side recliners watching TV and waiting for Mother Angelica to come one and say the rosary. Now, I will admit, at the time I was only 18, and I was always trying to find excuses to be away from the house at this time. However, there were many times I couldn't find a good enough reason and stuck around. I am eternally grateful for these 30 minute prayer sessions I got with my grandparents.
Even while my Grandpa was on his death bed, he would forget people's names, and barely be able to make the sign of the cross, but he remembered when it was time for the rosary. It amazes me how even when people cannot remember names, their faith remains engraved in them.
I hope upon hope, that 65 years from now Foster and I are just like them, still best friends, still madly in love. I also pray that I may have the same impact on this world as my Grandfather has. If I can touch half the amount of people that he did, I will consider myself successful.
I look forward to seeing my HUGE family this coming week, but I am extremely sad for the reason. Please keep all of us in your prayers. God Bless.