Together Again!

 

My grandparents were the most stable force in my past 31 32 33 34 years of life. I could call upon my grandparents mostly grandma with any question, thought or need. She was my iron hand in life. Her wisdom, thoughtfulness and general love of life helped guide me through some of the toughest parts of my life.

I always looked forward to going to see Grandma and Grandpa whether I was a child or 28 years old just going for a visit. She never judged me for what I had done, what I wanted to do or whereever life was going to take me. She was there to guide me and love me as a grandson whom she helped raise.

On many a visit I would always quiz her on our family heritage, her life and the way things were. I would listen for hours as she told me story after story soaking in every second of what she had to say.

I left my grandparents in March of 2004 to move to Arizona. She hugged me so close as if to say I’ll be with you where-ever you go. She cried and told me how proud of me she was. How little I knew that would be the last time I would touch her.

My grandmother was a tough lady. She took whatever blow life gave her and came out of it stronger and for the better. I watched my Grandmother endure a heart attack, triple by-pass surgery, 3 stints with cancer and finally a stroke. She beat every single one of those life-threatening moments.

My grandmother passed away 4 months ago. I remember the call just like it was yesterday. My father had called me while I was on my way to work to let me know that Pneumonia was getting the best of her. In all honesty she wanted to go, and no one could blame her. She had faithfully taken care of Grandpa for 60+ years.   Beat cancer 3 times, a heart attack and was winning her bout with a stroke. She did not want to fight anymore.

The hardest thing for me was not that she was passing, but that I could not be there to say goodbye. My father and mother for that matter insist that it is better that I remember her the way she was. I wanted to sit at her bed and hold her hand and tell her one last time how much I loved her and to tell her it was ok.

My grandfather was stricken with Parkinson’s disease in the late 80’s and was gradually taking its toll. My grandfather, a man I feared in my younger years, was the backbone of our family. His word was law and you best not speak out about it or he would quickly let you know about it. Deep down, Grandpa was a soft teddy bear. I remember times where he would read a story to me at Christmas time, give me a hug or play catch with me outside their wonderful Victorian home in Johnstown, Ohio.

When I took Alexis down to meet them for the very first time, he was so scared to hold her because of his Parkinson’s disease. It took a little coaxing but he did it and it made me so proud. One of my biggest thrills in life is the day that my daughter got to be touched and loved by them. Nothing means more to me right now then that moment in time.

My grandfather passed away Friday. He wanted to go be with Grandma. The ironic part is that Grandpa had left the house to go get an extension cord when he was hit by another car going in the wrong direction forcing his car into a ditch. He only wanted to decorate the outside tree for Christmas for Grandma who so deeply loved seeing that tree lit up at Christmas time.

I will forever be thankful for Coy William Budd and Sara “Boots��? Budd. They are and will always remain the stable force in our extended family. They taught us so much with their love and devotion to each other literally through the good and bad and sickness and in health. No truer vows were ever spoken to each other then those from Grandpa to Grandma.

I will miss you grandma and grandpa. I know you both are in a better place with no pain, no aches, no disease, no worrying about tomorrow. You are together again and we are so very happy for the both of you.

I love you and I thank you for your wisdom, knowledge and mostly for the un-conditional love that you showed me every single day of my life.

Until I see you again. I love you!

Lay down
Your sweet & weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey’s end

Sleep now
Dream-of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away

Safe in my arms
You’re only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
 
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come
To carry you home

And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time

Don’t say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again

And you’ll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come
To carry you home

And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

Annie Lennox – Into the West Lyrics