Hes Los

Hi Everyone, (or 5 of you)

I've been all over the place lately and have seriously neglected this here blog. My apologies. I love logging into blogger and seeing my favorite blogs have been updated, so sorry if I've dissappointed anyone, but I doubt I'm anyone's favorite blog. haha.

Anywho, I've been working like a mad-woman these past few weeks and 24 hours in the last 2 work days alone! So I think you understand when I say I'm a little scatter brained :)

Jake and I have been exploring LA more and more and loving it. I can cross a few things off my LA to do list for sure! We dont see each other much during the week, so our weekend explorations are very special for us. I've also been meeting and hanging out with a lot of his new classmates in the MBA program. I like everyone so far and I'm excited to be making new friends.

As I mentioned on here before, my Grandpa Charlie has been sick for the past few months and I've been visiting him in the hospital off and on. Last week his condition worsened considerably, so many of my relatives and family friends were coming in town to visit him for what looked to be the last time. All in one night, his wife, my dad, my mom, my dad's mom, her husband, and 2 of my grandpa's family all came to visit. We had to wear gloves and hospital gowns and could only go into his room 2 at a time.

The most surprising visitor was my Grandma Carolyn, who is my Grandpa Charlie's ex-wife of about 40 years. Growing up, we could not even say the other's name in there presence without causing a huge arguement. As Grandpa Charlie's condition worsened, he began to call for long-lost relatives and friends, including my Grandma Carolyn. I guess they had a very bitter divorce from what I've been told, but he felt the need to apologize to my grandma one last time before it was his time to pass on. I admired him so much in that moment. It was such an emotional moment for both of them and my dad and I. I had never imagined it would turn out like this with both my dad's parents in one room and being civil. Even their new spouses were so touched. I will never forget it as long as I live.

It was very hard to see my strong-willed, stubborn Grandpa in the ICU and having to wear a mask and gown to even go in and see him. I kept telling him how much I loved him and wanted him to get better, knowing that I had to be strong for him. I didnt cry until I got in the elevator to go home, then I just sobbed. And sobbed and sobbed. I was just thinking about all the times he made me laugh, or drove me to my dance classes listening to his weird Australian folk music, or yell out to my brother during his baseball games. He would come to our school's grandparents days, and take us to the park to watch fireworks on 4th of July. He always said the same script on the phone everytime he called our house.
Grandpa C: "Well hello there!"
Me: "Hey!"
Grandpa C: "Hay's what horses eat!"
Me: "haha. Ya ya grandpa."
Grandpa C: "Well, what the hell is going on on Franki St?" (we used to live on Franki St.)
Me: fumbling to come up with a whitty comment

What a guy!

Jake and I went to visit him this past Sunday morning. His condition had worsened since I saw him last Wednesday. He was shouting out to my step-grandma that he wanted it over with when we walked in the room. He was not in a good frame of mind. He turned to me and said he was very sorry that he wouldn't be able to make it to my wedding. I leaned down and kissed him on the forehead and told him that he would be there in his own special way. He nodded and told me he would be. We stayed until he fell asleep and left his room for what would be my final time with him. I knew the inevitable was coming, but we were all hoping he would hang on until my aunt who lives in Florida came to town on Wednesday evening. We all just kept telling him to hang on.

Last night my dad called me at about 9pm to tell me my Grandpa Charlie had passed away. He was crying, I was crying and just feeling helpless. I found comfort in the fact that grandpa was surrounded by his wife, Wendy and my dad and 4 of his family friends. They were actually getting ready to leave and my dad was going to stay with him while Wendy went to feed their animals. Earlier in the day, they had put grandpa in a sleep induced coma so he had been in a pretty peaceful state. Just as they were getting ready to leave, they noticed his eyes opening. His wife went to hug and kiss him and whispered in his ear for a minute or two. She felt him go limp. The nurse came in and confirmed he had stopped breathing. The guests said their goodbyes and left my dad and Wendy alone with Grandpa C. They hugged him and comforted him and just wanted to relish in him for awhile. It comforts me so much to know they had that special time with him.

I will always love you Grandpa Charlie. I know you will look down on us all.