20 years

It's hard to believe that this man left our Earth 20 years ago.  I remember finding out about Grandpa.  I was in 5th grade, and Chris picked me up from school and took me to Camille's house, while my dad made whatever "arrangements" that needed to be made.  I was mad, my brother told me I was going to miss my roller skating party at school, that was scheduled in the days his funeral would be.  This was my first true experience with death, and I was selfish, because I didn't understand.  Yes, I got it that my Grandpa was sick, it was a time where I wasn't even allowed to visit him in the hospital anymore due to my age.  But I didn't know that death was eternal.  That I would not see him in our physical world again, alive.  Later, at  home, I saw my dad "make calls."  He was in the living room, no one ever went in the living room unless it was a holiday.  I think he was in there because he might have been crying while he talked.  I stayed out of his way.  It's amazing what a kid can pick up on.

His wake was strange to me.  I kept touching him.  He felt plastic.  I kept touching his face.  Grandma yelled at me because I touched his face so much, someone had to come and reapply his make up.

The day of the funeral, I got it.  As my Grandma bent over to kiss his lips one last time, and they shut that coffin, I got it.  Only then was I upset.  To this day, it's the worst part of any funeral for me.  Watching the coffin close.

I think of my grandfather fondly, all of the time. We share stories of him every holiday.  The same ones usually, and usually involving my grandma.  The two together were characters.  I was the youngest grandchild of his 11, and I only got 10 short years with him.  Just 10.  I would have loved for him to be at all of my graduations, and of course, my wedding, to meet the man I chose to marry.  That proud smirk on his face.  But I feel lucky to have had him in my life as long as I did, and for the fact that I am blessed with a memory of an elephant and remember lots about him.  He was a lovely, lovely, sweet man and is missed by all of his family greatly.  

Reading to Rachael and I, I still have this book and consider
it one of my most treasured possessions.

"Chicken in the car, the car can go, that's how you spell Chicago!"

Gus

4/1/1910- 10/26/1993