We'll Miss You Pawpaw

Friday afternoon, March 25, 2011, my grandfather passed away. He has battled lung cancer for 4 1/2 years and lived with it a long time, but he finally gave up his battle. He is only my 2nd grandparent to pass away - I've been very blessed because I didn't lose my first one until I was 23. I've struggled with his death more than I expected to. We've known for a while now that he was in his last days, yet I failed to go out there and visit like I should have. The main reason is that I didn't like seeing him like that, but that's no excuse. The other reason I am struggling is because I didn't get to say goodbye. Don't get me wrong, I'm able to go on with life, I just think about it alot. We were notified on Friday afternoon that he had entered a 72 hour window of living. Mom called me at work and of course, I was planning on going straight out there to see him after I picked up Brayden after work. However, when I called her once I had Brayden, she told me he had already passed away. My grandfather was one of the greatest men I know (in addition to my other grandfather). He was so kind, patient, smart, hardworking, and faithful. He was very involved in my life when I was younger. I was the oldest grandchild and was very close to my grandfather. We always told each other that we were each other's bestest bestest bestest friend. He took me to test drive my first car when I was 17 or 18. He pretty much saved mine and my grandmother's lives when I knocked his truck out of gear and it went rolling toward a cliff while he was in the gas station. I could literally go on for hours and hours about all of the memories I have of him and what an outstanding grandfather and person he was. I'm so glad he got to meet Brayden. He could make Brayden laugh and it was the most precious thing. Life definitely will not be the same without him. However, I know he is loving life in Heaven right now and in no pain whatsoever. That in itself is worth our pain and suffering. I wish I could find my wedding pictures because there is one on there that I love, but I can't seem to locate them. In the meantime, these will have to suffice:

More than likely there will be another post about this great man because I hope to find some more pictures and want to share something my cousin wrote, but I have to get my hands on it first. Until then . . .