Grandad Joe

My grandfather passed away last weekend at the age of 91. His health had been failing these past few years so it wasn't a total surprise but then again it was. We all know that the end is coming for us but when it actually does it's still surprising some how. It's a confirmation that nothing and no one is permanent. At least not in a physical sense. But then again photos and memories can fade too.

When my grandmother died in 2002, I remember it knocking my world over. It was my first real experience with losing someone I had been close to. Her memorial service was my first as well. And although I was sad and missed her, her death changed something in me for the better. I didn't take everything for granted and I slowly started to let go of people who brought me down. 

When I think back to my childhood, I can't help but think about my grandparents. They were a huge part of it. I saw them at least once a week until I was in high school. And now that my grandfather is gone, it's a weird feeling. It's what he wanted and I don't blame him, but it's still weird that he isn't here any more. 

He wasn't someone I confided my deepest secrets to. We didn't even hang out that much alone. We were not terribly close. But he has always been around. Always there. Every holiday. Every birthday. He sent me a card for my birthday every year, even after my grandma was gone.

He caused our family lots of stress these last few years. We didn't agree with some things he was doing but that's life. We aren't all going to agree with everyone's life choices. He was stubborn and outspoken. But he was also incredibly generous and one of the funniest people I've known (even if he didn't necessarily mean to be).

He was our crazy Grandad.

He was a dentist and world traveler. He went on tons of mission trips setting up dental clinics all over the world. I remember his cabinets always being full of dental products. My cousins and I were always so excited to get the latest electric toothbrush.

I thank him for every cavity he filled of mine and that tooth he pulled to help with my braces. I remember going over to his old office and pretending the light that he shined in people's mouths was a microphone. It's also because of him that my teeth are straight. He obviously had dental connections and my mouth is forever grateful.

He also had a passion/love/obsession with photography. I remember after every trip he and my grandmother went on, he would have hundreds of photos developed and they would both spread them out on the dining room table to look at them all. There were multiple cameras around his neck no matter where he was. I remember once there being an entire shelf of cameras - old, new, the works. He even let me borrow one of his cameras when I took photography in high school.

He and my grandmother paid for me to take karate with my friends for my entire year of 7th grade because my mom couldn't afford it.

He came with my mom to my high school graduation.

He's the reason I got to go to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Colorado Springs. I'll never forget him driving us through the Hollywood hills with it's super windy roads. He was an awful driver to begin with so the hills were not helping matters. But I had these hiccups that wouldn't go away but then his driving scared me so much they just stopped. My cousin, aunt and I had a good laugh over that!

 

 The man loved Costco. He bought everything from there. He even used to take my cousin and I there (whenever she was in town) for pizza. Ha!

He let Dustin and I get married in his backyard. He even wore a purple dress shirt and tie on our wedding day to match all the purple decor.

He loved Dr. Pepper.

He loved listening to and playing classical music. I remember getting into his car multiple times and jumping because Beethoven was playing so loudly. This was probably due to the fact he was hard of hearing. Ha! And oh the memories of my cousins and I going to town trying to pump his organ (the instrument) in their family room. He also had a piano and I would pretend I actually knew how to play.

He had a fascination with technology. I was introduced to AOL because of him. He had a computer way before I ever did. He was always buying new computers, video cameras, and all those gadgets from Sharper Image.

Every time I stayed the night with him and my grandma they would watch Jeopardy. As a kid I thought it was the most boring show in the world but now I get it.

Yesterday, my family and I went to his memorial service that was held at his church. It was nice talking to everyone and hearing different stories. I liked looking at photos of him and my grandma that I hadn't seen before. The service itself was a little too formal and religious for my taste but if that's what he wanted then they did a good job.

What a life he had!

We all went out to eat afterwards. It was the first time our family had all been in the same place in years. It's sad that it takes a death to bring people together. I mean, it's no one's fault. We're all busy living in different cities, living our own lives, just working and/or going to school. I get it. But life goes by quick and I hope we can get together as a group more often.

It's strange to think that both my maternal grandparents are gone forever and how our parents are getting older, and so are we. Life is crazy. So is death.

It reminds of that John Mayer song 'No Such Thing'
And all of our parents
They're getting older
I wonder if they've wished for anything better
While in their memories
Tiny tragedies