My Grandpa

hasn’t been in good health for quite some time.

For the last two weeks, was being monitored by hospice from his home, but was admitted to their facility this past weekend.

At some point after a Saturday evening sing-a-long with the best of the family vocalists, Grandpa went to sleep.

On Sunday Mama reported that he was unresponsive.

Lying in a hospital bed and struggling to breathe, isn’t the way you want to see your loved one, however, several family members gathered in his room to be with him.  I took my turn by his side and held his hand.  Before I left, I told him I loved him, and gave him a kiss on the forehead, as I always did.

And that would be my last goodbye.

My plan to go visit again after work on Monday was interrupted by a call from my sister at 2:58 on Monday afternoon.

It was hard to believe that he was gone.

His service will take place on Tuesday.

Only a few weeks before I had mentioned that he was well.

Grandpa grew up during the depression.  He served our country in WWII.  Not a clear pic, but that is him!

Grandpa loved to sing and had an excellent bass voice.

He had a fondness for picking up items that others might see as impractical.   His collection of things is incredible.  Grandpa was active, always busy, but always made time for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved his family and friends.

He was patient, gentle, kindhearted and dear.

And he loved the Lord, always addressing Him as “Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father” when he prayed.

In the last two weeks I have spent time with him reminiscing about the past and the people we love.  I reminded him that he was going to be 95 in December and he replied, “yes, on the 15^th”. He was almost right; his birthday is December 17^th. But that was the only slip-up I caught; he was pretty sharp.

I had the opportunity to “catch up” with my aunt Debbie, who lived with and cared for Grandpa, and my cousin Melissa, who was there very often.  While visiting we looked through old photos of people we could not identify and chatted about growing up and the unusual things that we did.  We discussed Mema’s recipes and Grandpa’s favorite television programs.  It has been somewhat a family reunion and I believe, as bad as he felt, Grandpa was happy to see us all together.

Now Grandpa is enjoying another family reunion.

He has been reunited with his wife and son, the two I affectionately refer to as “Mema” and “Daddy”.  Grandpa is also experiencing peace and joy in degrees that we cannot imagine as he basks in the light and love of his “Most Gracious Heavenly Father”.

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In Memory of Harold Ernest Reid 1924-2019

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Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.