Those of you who read my blog might have been wondering about my lack of posts lately. On June 5, my grandpa passed away and my family and I traveled to California to participate in his services and to be with family and friends. I've been back for about a week now but have been struggling as to how to approach this on my blog. I think, more than anything, I've been too sad to want to write about it.
It was a good weekend but also very hard. It was good to share my grief with my family and for us to be together to share fond memories of a great man. It is always hard to say goodbye to a special family member but I think it was made all the more difficult by the unexpectedness of his passing. Yes, he was very sick and we all knew his time on earth was growing shorter but I don't think anyone knew it would be this soon. I wish I could have seen him one more time and told him how much I love him. I'm so grateful for the plan of happiness that will allow me to see him again. I take comfort in knowing he is now at peace.
Isn't he a handsome man? He was such a special grandpa - so present in my life at all the little and big moments. Ballet recitals, family birthday parties, Halloween, Christmas day, our temple sealing...the list could go on and on because he was always there. It's been harder since we moved to Arizona but we tried to see each other when we could. Grandpa and Marilyn even took a fun trip here in 2004 and we got a chance to go to the Grand Canyon together. I really treasured that alone time with my grandparents.
One of my grandpa's greatest qualities was his kindness. He loved his family so much and always had us in mind. He loved other people too and went out of his way to treat everyone kindly. My dad told a story at his funeral about taking the clothes he was to be buried in to the cleaners and how the owners of the store were so saddened to hear of his passing. They said every time he came in he talked to them for a half hour! That was just my grandpa. He did this at work too. He was a dentist for 51 years and loved his job and the people he helped. There wasn't one day that he was ever on schedule because he spent so much time with each of his patients. Every time he worked on my teeth, he would always call that night to see how I was doing. He loved life and was a happy person and he always making jokes and making us laugh. I miss you, Grandpa and hope you know how much I love you.
13 comments:
Hey Nikki! I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa! I cried reading your post! He sounds like a great man. I wondered where you had been. I'm glad your back to bloggin' world! Again, sorry to hear your reason for not being here! We luv ya!
I am sorry for your loss, but thanks for sharing.
I'm glad you posted about grandpa. I love the dry cleaner story you shared and that he'd call in the evening after doing dental work on you. Sweet post.
Nikki, so sorry to hear about your grandpa. He sounded like a great man. What a beautiful tribute to him.
I was wondering just the other day what the Watson Family was up to since it had been awhile.
Just when I thought I was getting a handle on things, you go and do that! You put my tribute to shame. You did a great job summing up his role as grandpa in our lives. I'm going to miss him so much!
I am just so glad that I have older siblings that have better memories than I do. Thanks (along with Carrie and Amy) for posting so it would help me relive those experiences! He was such an amazing Grandpa. I miss him too! Hopefully now this is off your chest you will be better! Love you!
I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. Such a sweet and tender post. I lost my grandpa just before Mason was born and am still trying to overcome that loss in my life. Thanks for sharing some of your feelings for him. I love the tooth flower!
What a great tribute to your Grandpa!! That is so awesome to have grandparents that are such a big part of your life. Thanks for sharing with us.
you are such a great writer - gosh what a talent! I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa and it's just times like these that really deepen our feelings about the church too. I'm glad you were able to go and be amongst your family.
We are dying to see you guys - would love to have you over ANYTIME!
Sorry to hear about your loss. What a great tribute, though. He sounds like a wonderful person. I am envious that you were able to have such a great relationship with your grandpa. Brandon is really close to his grandparents too. It's such a wonderful blessing to have that relationship and to have those great memories.
Nikki, I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a wonderful man with a great family and a full life. Isn't it comforting to know that this life is not the end?
Oh Nikki, I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. He sounds like such a wonderful man in everything he did!!! What a blessing to have such a loving grandpa. :) I can't even imagine not knowing what we know after life after death and that we can be together forever!! It seems to make these things easier, though they are still very difficult. :) I do have to say that I love the tooth flowers!! They are so cute!!
I am sorry to hear your story again, but I am grateful for your testimony you shared about the experience last week and love to see such nice posting of him. I am grateful that I know you Nikki and your strong spirit.
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