How many people can say that when they are 32 years old? (by the way, my birthday was Monday)
Well, yesterday afternoon my mom called me to tell me my Grandpa S. passed away in a hospital in Brasil. Even though I haven't seen him in 8 years, and even though he was 91, and even though we had all been expecting this for many years...it didn't make it any easier.
I feel a lot of guilt that I didn't stay in better contact with him. Oh sure, I sent him pictures, I emailed him occasionally, we even spoke on the phone every once in awhile. But this last month I had felt very strongly that I should call him, or email him...and I didn't do it. I even had my mom send me his email address 3 weeks ago (b/c somehow I couldn't find it on my email contacts) but still, I didn't email him. I took for granted that I could always do it "tomorrow". And now it's too late.
I have a lot of good memories of my Grandpa. He used to make a yearly trip up to the states from Brasil to visit all his children/grandchildren. He'd bring us all packets of guarana and the most delicious treats we called bonbons.
He used to do "churrasco" (Brasilian style BBQ) for us, and to this day I have not tasted better steaks than his! He used to tell us to clean our plates at dinner so we could be members of "the clean clate club". He'd also joke around that he was going to take us to the ice cream store so we could sit and watch the other kids eating ice cream. haha!
He was a very successful businessman and knew how to save his money. Even though he never had the opportunity to obtain a college education, he made sure that all his children and grandchildren had the financial opportunity to do so. I owe my college degree, and all the great experiences I had at BYU to him!
Today my boys are wearing their Brasilian t-shirts to honor their great-grandpa they never had the opportunity to meet in this life.
Grandpa reading a book to me and my brother.
6 comments:
I'm sorry about your grandpa. He looks like a fun and special man. I'm sure he understands how busy you've been with those cute boys of yours. He can see them now and help you out, I believe.
I'm so sorry, Christy. It's very difficult to lose a loved one. But just think of the work he's now doing on the other side. I'm certain the Lord has him doing something amazing!
So sorry about your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man. What a sweet tribute to him.
My grandparents lived in Canada and though I didn't see them a lot growing up- I had a great long distance relationship with them. My grandpa died a few years back when we were in college and had a new baby so we weren't able to go to Canada for his funeral. It was hard to not be a part of that and to know that my kids would never meet him. We try to tell them stories and keep his memory alive. Sounds like you are doing the same- I love that your boys wore the jerseys in his honor.
C, I had no idea! I'm so sorry. It's so hard to lose someone you love and even more if you haven't talked to them in a while. But the best advise that I can give after my past year, hold on to those memories. They are the only things that will get you through and it will be a great thing for your boys to have around when they get older and want to know of him.
Oh Christy that is so sweet! You were so good to at least be sending pictures and the occasional email. I'm sure he loved it! I always say I'm going to and never did. Now it's too late. You have wonderful memories and touched each others lives.
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