Thursday, July 19, 2012

Never Enough

Since I usually write about food, working out, and random things going on in my life, I debated whether I should write about a serious topic.  After much thought, I decided that I wouldn't feel right going ahead with my usual postings without writing about something major that happened in my life, even though it is sad.

Last Friday, my grandpa on my mom's side of the family passed away.


He was 88, and just celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary with my grandma.  


I can credit him with my love of vegetables - he had an amazing garden for a long time, and his vegetables were incredibly delicious.  As my dad said, we haven't had a good lima bean since my grandpa stopped gardening in 2005.  


Grandparents are pretty special - they love you unconditionally, and aren't embarrassed to have their picture taken with you even when your fashion sense has much to be desired.  


My grandpa always let me know how proud he was of me, which means more to me than I can adequately express.  


He was diagnosed with lung cancer last November, even though he never smoked.  And his diagnosis came about a week after my grandpa on my dad's side of the family passed away.  


Losing one grandpa was heartbreaking, and losing another one so soon just seems unfair.  


But I am so lucky to have grown up with such great grandpas.  They played board games with me (and, I suspect, let me win), pushed me on the best tree swing in the world as high as I wanted, and showed me how to catch frogs down at the creek.


I'm so fortunate to have had them in my life for as long as I did.  They got to see me graduate from high school.  


And then from college.  


But it's never enough time, really.  


I wish they could have seen me graduate from law school.  I wish they could have seen me pass the Bar.  I wish they could have seen me get married and have a family one day.  But I am so grateful to have them as role models, and I strive to raise a family of my own as well as they raised theirs, and to have even a fraction of an impact as they had on so many people.  

6 comments:

  1. this brought tears to my eyes. Your grandparents sound like they were incredible people.

    Love and hugs,
    GC

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, GC - they mean a lot!

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  2. Hugs to you. My Grandma also died of lung cancer never having smoked. You are right no matter how much time you have with them it is never enough. Beautiful post! I'm sure they will be there in spirit for your graduation and those moments when you need them,

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    1. Thanks, Jess. I'm sorry to hear about your grandma. And you're right, they will be here in spirit with me - thanks for those comforting words.

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  3. So sorry to hear about your Grandpa, what a nice way to honor his memory ! Karen

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    1. Thanks, Karen, I really appreciate your comment.

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