My Poppa
I would like to preface this by saying this isn't a sad post, this is an itty bitty celebration of life and catharsis. I will return to my silly self soon enough, but I have some emotions caught and I need to clear my throat.
As you may have seen in my previous blogs, I was recently visiting my other grandparents for the first time in over a decade. Well, apparently I did so not a moment too soon.
Four days ago, my grandpa passed away pretty suddenly. I cried in ways I never have in my entire life. I was absolutely shattered. I had gotten my grandfather back, just to lose him forever. I called him two days before and his voice was as strong and unwavering as ever. He was so excited about me coming up again in a couple months when I reassured him that I was.
And as life is want to do, a new hand was dealt.
His body was tired, even though his spirit was as bright and strong as it ever was. My granny said that she thinks he knew he was going. He inexplicably decided to hold my baby cousin for the first time just a week before, and he left the lock box she could never remember the combo for unlocked and open.
This was the last picture taken of him and he is wearing his "bring out your dead" shirt. He would have found this fucking hilarious.
My poppa was the king of punny jokes, putting together puzzles, and being a geek.
Why did cleopatra take milk baths?
Because she couldn't find one tall enough for a shower!
He was an incredible man with so much love in his heart. While I was visiting, it was their 48th wedding anniversary. I watched him fiddle at the computer forever making my granny a card to print out and present to her. He loved my granny more than anything I have ever seen in my life.
On Friday he was laid to rest at one of the first green burial grounds in the United States, where both of my grandparents have a plot. No embalming or extravagent headstones, just a piece of quiet land in the woods shared with others that wanted to be sent off naturally. He was put in a plain wooden coffin, a grave was dug, and he was given back to the earth to the sound of a wooden flute.
It was beautiful.
When you went, Poppa, you took a big ol' hunk of my heart with ya. I love you, and I promise I'll keep writing like you wanted me to.
"I'm not dead yet!"
What a fantastic man. And still I can't help but feeling sad, reading this, it is sad when good people pass away. So sorry for your loss! A beautiful picture of a loved man, thank you for sharing this and yes, keep writing!
He really is/was fantastic. Stubborn as hell, too!
Thank you for stopping by and looking. I certainly didn't want to bring anyone down. I cried while writing this but for the first time after, food tasted good and I slept at a somewhat human hour. Much love, dear!
It's sad but I understand and it's also a bright and joyful memory of him<3 Have a great new week!
Ah no! I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa, babes. He looked like an amazing person. My thoughts are with you 💓
Thank you, mewmew! <3
He was, and he will be sorely missed. However, seeing how beautiful his burial was really gave me peace. Also, my family telling me how happy he was when I came up and they think he waited to go until he saw me. I think I'm done crying now, I think I can just be glad that he isn't struggling anymore. :)
Incredibly sorry for your loss! He sounds like he was an amazing man with a great legacy. I'm glad you got to speak to him before he passed! Wishing you peace in your heart and the fondest of memories.
Thank you to the moon and back! I really am glad that I called when I did, I would live with the regret forever if I hadn't. I think I am at peace with it now, thankfully. He is a great man, and he will be remembered. I am just so thankful that he didn't wither away. :)
Yes, that can be a huge blessing. My grandpa (I called him Bumpa) always said he never wanted to lose his memory or mind. He always wanted to be clear-headed. So after he passed, it was a small comfort to think that he was clear-minded all the way to the end, because that's what he wanted. Take care!!
I'm happy this is a happy story after all. It seems either side of life will be cool. I mean Poppa there and you here. I'm spoilt with choices right now. A toast to a life well lived 🍻
A toast, indeed!
And thank you so much for your touching words here and in chat, they moved me so much that I didn't even know what to say. <3
I was so sorry to hear. It's obvious how much of his great spirit has been passed onto you. Great celebratory post.
Thank you so much, Muxxy! And thank you for all the love and kind words. It has helped more than you know!
I didn't know him, but from what you said I know you loved him. You and him have a lot in common. Celebrating his life with you :)
I loved him very, very much! We really do have a lot in common, and I think I will be inheriting some of his gorgeous puzzles. I just hate that we didn't get a chance to sit down and do one together.
Here's to poppa! <3
Your grandpa looks super cool! I say looks because wherever he is, he is slaying it in awesome t-shirts.
He is super cool! He has great taste. The geek river runs deep and rapid in my family! :D
Nothing better than geek style!
Awwww I love the way your grandmother is looking at him in that picture. Hopefully I still look at my husband that way when we are old. What a fantastic couple!
I know, it made me SO happy when I took it.
I hope you have just as much love as they did! <3
I love this. You came across my feed again (cuz i finally cleaned up my followers list) and i happened to have wrote a similar post about my dad, so i get you :) take time to heal.
Not much I can say that hasn't already been said, but it was a really fitting post for your grandpa. His T-shirt tells me a lot about his sense of humor.